The territory of the Municipality of Almeida presents archaeological remains of human presence since the Paleolithic. Castrejos nuclei of the Bronze and Iron Age are evident in the municipality. There is also information about the Roman presence. This development is due to two fundamental factors: its location at the border limit of the Portuguese territory and the creation of municipalities, as a way of ensuring the settlement of the border.
The Côa River constituted, during a long time period, the boundary of this border between the Kingdom of León and the territory Portuguese. The advance of the border line, ended up conditioning the future development, but provided the Almeida and Castelo Bom a predominant strategic importance.
There are several versions for the source of the name Almeida. But what everyone agrees is that the name is of Arab origin. Some refer to it coming from the Arabic Al Mêda and that it means the table, because the village is situated on a vast plateau, on the plateau of the tables. There are also those who say it comes from the Arabic Atmeidan which means field or horse racing place. Friar Bernardo de Brito, states that the toponym derives from the configuration of the land on which the village is built and whose original name is Talmeyda. Legend has it that its origin comes from a table studded with precious stones that once existed in that place.
The village of Almeida is surrounded by a defensive polygon of hexagonal walls, which constitute a rare example of military architecture, situated about 760 meters above sea level. The municipality is crossed by the Côa River, which rises in the Serra da Mesas, near the Serra da Malcata, and flows on the left bank of the Douro, near Vila Nova de Foz Côa.
In this municipality you will find a gastronomy ranging from sausages and cheeses to the typical dishes that are based on the hunting of the region, especially the rabbit to the hunter and the hare rice, but also the dishes of goat and lamb baked, Almeida is known for the sponge cake, pumpkin jam, marmelada, tomato and cherry jam, the sweet ball and the brown ball. As a side dish of your meal or dessert, do not dispense with the ginja and the jeropiga.
In terms of economic structure it can be said that the Municipality of Almeida is predominantly rural. The agricultural activity, sometimes complemented by small agricultural farms, develops in small areas scattered throughout the municipality, and assumes a predominantly family character. It is an important activity from the point of view of the subsistence of a significant number of families in the municipality .
The tertiary sector, which corresponds to the services and infrastructure necessary for the well-being and convenience of the inhabitants and visitors of the municipality is characterized mainly by bank branches, law and accounting offices as well as some traditional commerce and small hotel units, but also the services considered of a social nature acquire some relevance, through the work developed by the existing social solidarity institutions, in the areas of support and reception of the elderly and also of early childhood support.
The municipality is served by the railway line of Beira Alta and the A25. In terms of intra-concelhias accessibility the municipality of Almeida also has three national roads.
Source: Almeida Town Hall