Once a Roman settlement, Loures has seen centuries of change. This place is now a vibrant city north of Lisbon. Let’s dive into the story of Loures.
Loures’ history stretches back to the Upper Paleolithic period. Evidence from the Cave of Pego do Diabo and the Cave of Salemas shows early human settlement. Neolithic burial chambers like Anta de Carcavelos and Anta do Alto da Toupeira dot the landscape. Romans settled here in the 1st millennium. Their cemetery became the site of Loures’ first church.
Before the Romans, many castros existed. The Romans encouraged settlers to move from the foothills to the fertile lowlands for economic opportunities. After the Romans came the Visigoths. Then, the Moors occupied Loures after the 8th century.
The parish of Loures appeared in records from 1118 and 1191. At that time, agriculture dominated the region. Lettuce cultivation was a key export trade. Even today, lettuce remains an important crop. The first written document dates back to 1170. Afonso Henriques granted privileges to the Moors living north of Lisbon.
King Sancho I discovered that the Moors of Lisbon allied with groups in Loures. In 1178, he confronted them with a Templar force. After defeating the Moors, the King gave the region to the Knights Templar. When the Templars were extinguished in 1311, their lands were taken by the Pope. King Denis of Portugal created the Order of Christ to receive these assets. In Loures, the Templar lands transferred to this new religious order. They built a church over the ruins of a 4th-century temple.
During the plague, people from Lisbon sought refuge in Montemor. This village sat at 350 meters. They believed the elevation would protect them from the disease. The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Saúde was constructed during this time. In 1598, the plague devastated Lisbon. It spread across the country for five years, killing about 80000 people. Urban residents fled to elevated villages like Montemor. Some families brought an image of Our Lady of Health. They built a church seeking protection from the plague. By 1604, the threat passed. No cases were found in the territory. A myth arose about the patron saint’s miraculous protection.
Cholera spread through Loures between 1832 and 1834. The people implored Our Lady of Health to protect them. The saint’s image was paraded through Loures. It stayed in the Church of Loures until the threat subsided. Then it returned to its hermitage in Montemor.
Loures became a town on October 26, 1926. It achieved city status on August 9, 1990. In 1997, Odivelas and six other parishes separated to form Odivelas Municipality. Today, Loures is addressing modern challenges. A project launched in 2023 aims to improve affordable housing. It also provides low-income assistance programs. Infrastructure is being adapted to climate change. The European Investment Bank is lending 100 million to fund these projects. These funds will support social housing, educational institutions, and waste management.
Loures continues to evolve. It balances its rich history with a forward-looking vision. Its story is one of resilience, adaptation, and community spirit.