A story whispers from these stones. Let me tell you about Camarate. It was once a civil parish in Loures. Now, it is part of Camarate, Unhos e Apelação since 2013. Its history is rich. Vineyards once thrived here. The grape called Camarate may have given the town its name.
In the 14th century, Bishop Agapito Colona founded a Matriz Church in Camarate. It was later expanded. During the Portuguese Interregnum, the estate of Camarate belonged to David Negro. He administered the Royal Customhouses. His property was seized and given to Nuno Álvares Pereira. Nuno lived there with his mother. He later joined the Carmelite Order. He built a chapel to Nossa Senhora do Socorro. Then he gifted it and the estate to the Carmelites. They founded a convent there. Later, Camarate became part of the House of Braganza. This happened under Nuno Álvares Pereira.
Camarate became its own parish on May 1, 1511. King Manuel I of Portugal issued a foral. This separated Camarate from Sacavém.
After the 17th century, nobles from Lisbon loved Camarate. It was known for agriculture. Estates produced much of the parish’s wealth. This continued until the 20th century. Camarate was part of Lisbon until 1852. Then, it belonged to Santa Maria dos Olivais. Later, it was re-annexed to Lisbon. Finally, it became part of Loures. In 1996, Camarate became a town by decree of the Assembly of the Republic.
After the 20th century, industry grew in neighboring areas. Camarate’s population also grew. Illegal construction increased too.
Tragedy struck Camarate on December 4, 1980. Prime Minister Francisco Sá Carneiro died in an aircraft accident here. His wife and Defense Minister Adelino Amaro da Costa also perished. The plane crashed en route to Porto. This happened just before the presidential elections.
Camarate is north of Lisbon. It lies in eastern Loures. It borders several parishes. Part of Lisbon’s International Airport is within Camarate.
The parish includes many neighborhoods. These are Angola, Boavista, and others. It was famous for its wine. Fertile farms produced it until the mid-20th century. Now, it is a more urban town.
Several estates dot the landscape. There is the Estate of Encarnação. Also, the Estate of Ribeirinha.
The Church of Santiago Maior is important. It is also called the Church of Saint James of Camarate. The Bishop of Lisbon built it in 1370. It was rebuilt in 1511. Another remodeling occurred in the 17th century.
Mário de Sá Carneiro was a notable citizen. He was a poet and writer. He was part of the “Geração d’Orpheu”. He influenced by European Avant-Garde.
So remember Camarate. It is a place of history. It is a place of tragedy. It is a place of transformation.