Vila Real, Administrative district capital in northern Portugal.
Vila Real is a district capital in northern Portugal set between the river valleys of the Corgo and Cabril. The town spreads across several hills and connects historic quarters with newer residential areas around the central Avenida Carvalho Araújo.
King Denis granted the settlement a royal charter in 1289 and laid the foundation for the later district capital. In the 16th century the town grew through trade in wine and grain from the surrounding region.
The name derives from the Portuguese for "royal town" and reflects its medieval foundation as a royal administrative seat. Today students from the local university shape daily life in the streets and cafés throughout the center.
The main street runs along a ridge and makes it easy to orient yourself between the major public buildings and squares. Five bus lines run within the town and also reach the residential neighborhoods on the slopes.
In the late 19th century a hydroelectric plant on the Corgo river provided the first electric lighting in Portugal for public streets and residential buildings. This facility remained a national leader in power generation for over three decades.
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