Marvila
Civil parish
Montage of Marvila.
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 38°44′42″N 9°06′14″W / 38.745°N 9.104°W / 38.745; -9.104
Country	Portugal
Region	Lisbon
Metropolitan area	Lisbon
District	Lisbon
Municipality	Lisbon
Area
• Total	7.12 km2 (2.75 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	35,479
• Density	5,000/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC±00:00 (WET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+01:00 (WEST)
Website	http://www.jf-marvila.pt/

Marvila (Portuguese pronunciation: [mɐɾˈvilɐ]) is a freguesia (civil parish) and district of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Located in eastern Lisbon, Marvila is to the southwest of Parque das Nações north of Beato, and east of Alvalade. The population in 2021 was 35,479.^[1]

History

The place occupied by Marvila is as old as the founding of the country. It is one of the most typical neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city of Lisbon. Until the  19th century , there were numerous country houses in this area, surrounded by orchards due to the fertility of the banks of the Tagus.

Until recently, Marvila was an essentially rural parish, where farms and orchards proliferated. Even today, they are easy to spot: Quinta dos Ourives, Quinta da Rosa, Quinta das Flores, Quinta das Amendoeiras, Quinta do Leal, Quinta do Marquês de Abrantes etc. These properties generally belonged to families from northern Portugal, and supplied the street markets spread throughout the neighborhood and, later, throughout the capital.

RTP headquarters in Marvila

At the old Praça da Ribeira market, merchandise arrived transported by carts. This population originally from the north brought many of their habits and customs, namely, the Feira da Espiga, which may have its origins in a custom from northern market gardeners. But from a rural area, Marvila transformed, over the years, into an urban area with a neighborhood and factory look. However, traces of great horticultural activity can still be seen today. The Marquês de Abrantes Palace, on Marvila Street, or Mitra Palace, on Açúcar Street, are true examples of the various manor houses that were built there. There were also plenty of religious monuments, such as the old Marvila Monastery. In the 20th century , the installation of manufacturing units continued from Rua do Açúcar to Braço de Prata. The cooperages on Rua Capitão Leitão and the wine warehouses of Abel Pereira da Fonseca (who, shortly before he died, told his descendants "as long as the Tagus has water, Lisbon should never lack wine") date back to this period. Today, these warehouses have been transformed into cultural centers.

The current Marvila is a parish created by the decree-law 42,142 of February 7, 1959. It is a very significant part of the peripheral area of ​​a large, rapidly growing European city.

It benefited considerably from the great event that was Expo 98 .

It benefited greatly from Expo '98 . Its patron saint is Saint Augustine.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

Landmarks

Aos Construtores da cidade monument

Armazéns Vinícolas Abel Pereira da Fonseca

Orthodox church of Chelas

Detail of a mural (2013) by Interesni Kazki, a duo consisting of two Ukrainian artists, commissioned by Underdogs Gallery

• A Tabaqueira: Industrial archaeology building dating from 1928^[7]
• Aos Construtores da Cidade monument: Monument inaugurated in 1999^[8]
• Armazéns Vinícolas Abel Pereira da Fonseca: Ancient industrial building dating from 1910, now used as an event venue^[9]
• Chafariz na Rua do Vale Formoso de Cima: Ancient water fountain^[10]
• Fábrica de Borracha Luso-Belga: Example of Industrial archaeology dating from 1895. This factory, the sole rubber transformation hub in Portugal, produced various rubber and ebonite products, including irrigation pipes, gaskets, footwear rubber sheets, belts, surgical items, hot water bags, soles, rubber heels, rubber balls, and toys. It closed in 1975 due to bankruptcy.^[11]
• Igreja e convento de Chelas (Convento de São Félix e Santo Adrião de Chelas): Its origins date back to a Visigothic occupation of ancient Roman structures, although the first surviving material evidence dates back to the 17th century. Of particular significance is the Manueline portal of the church. It is now an Orthodox church^[12][13][14]
• Igreja de Santa Clara de Assis: Catholic church built by the Franciscan order in the second half of the 20th century^[15][16]
• Igreja de São Maximiliano Kolbe: Catholic church built by the Franciscan order in 1983 in Bairro da Flamenga neighbourhood^[17]
• Igreja das Missionárias da Caridade (Mother Teresa)^[18][19]
• Igreja Paroquial de Sto Agostinho de Marvila: Including a convent (Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição) and chapels such as Capela da Mansão de Santa Maria de Marvila and Capela do Asilo dos Velhos, the building dates from 1660^[20][21]
• Palácio da Mitra: Palace dating from the 17th century^[22]
• Palácio dos Condes de Figueiró: Palace dating from the 17th century^[23]
• Parque da Belavista geomonument: natural formation dating from the Miocene. During the Lower Miocene, the Lisbon area experienced seasonal river flooding, providing habitats for ancestors of elephants and wild boars. Nearby seas formed limestone deposits containing marine fossils.^[24]
• Rua Capitão Leitão geomonument: natural formation dating from the Miocene^[25]
• Underdogs Gallery: Cultural centre inaugurated in 2013^[26]

Sport

• Sede do Clube Oriental de Lisboa (futebol e natação)

Gardens and parks

The parish hosts several green spaces, notably:

• Parque Urbano do Vale Fundão

Headquarters and Branches of the Parish Council (Junta de Freguesia)

The Marvila Parish Council is headquartered at Av. Paulo VI, nº 60, 1950-231 Lisbon. It has a website and a free monthly newspaper for all Marvila inhabitants.

There is also a Loja do Cidadão in Centro Comercial Pingo Doce Belavista.

Politics

Streets

Marvila before and after the 2012 Portuguese administrative reform

The parish has 156 streets administered by the city council.^[30] They are:

References