Talk:Ílhavo Municipality

Actually, the municipal insignia does not depict a Viking vessel, but rather a "Greek" or more likely Phoenician trading ship. This is what most people in Ilhavo will tell you. It's possible the Vikings raided this area but it is almost certain Ilhavo was a stopping point for ancient traders of tin and other goods on their way to and from the coast of England long before the Christian era. It was they who founded the port possibly visited by norsemen a thousand years later.

I don't know where you are from but i am from ilhavo where I lived for 27 years, and I garantee you that the boat on the flag is assumed by a majoroty to be Viking and not greek. but again threre are no evidences that manage to solve the question: Vikings or greeks how was the first one?

Cheers Quiafodu

I must disagree.

To begin with, Ilhavo's own website states: "It is claimed the city was founded by Greek colonists around 400 BC whom the beauty of Ilhavenses women is attributed, but others state that the Phoenicians settlers are the ones responsiblefor that". (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilhavo) A similar comment is made in the Wikipedia "Phoenician" article (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenicians)

Refering to the coast of Portugal in the 9th century B.C., Stanislawski writes: "...the Phoenicians certainly became the most active and effective Greeks in the area. Their colonization had energy and breadth and was the only one in the western Mediterranean with lasting results." (Stanislawski, The Individuality of Portugal http://libro.uca.edu/stanislawski/portugal.htm)

In his book, "The South West to AD 1,000 (Regional history of England series No.:8)", Malcolm Todd writes:

"Phoenician ships used to ply the coast of southern Spain and along the coast of present-day Portugal. The fishermen of Ilhavo, Nazaré and Aveiro in Portugal are traditionally of Phoenician descent. This can be seen today in the unusual and ancient design of their boats, which have soaring pointed bows and are painted with mystical symbols..."

By contrast, there is no historical evidence to my knowledge that the Vikings came to Ilhavo and even if they did that would have occurred 1900 years after Greek-Phoenician traders. I believe the local authorities who adopted the current Municipal coat of arms and flag were aware of this history. The device on these symbols doesn't resemble a Viking ship; it is closer in appearance to a Greek, Phoenician or Roman vessel, having a covered area astern, something unknown to a Scandinavian longship.

This is a Viking ship: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~jasen01/texts/longship.htm This is a Phoenician ship: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Parliament/2587/ships.html —Preceding unsigned comment added by Grandcross (talk • contribs) 15:52, 23 June 2008 (UTC)

I travel to Ilhavo often and have never heard anyone claim the ship is Scandinavian. My family originated in Ilhavo and has had a presence there for over 400 years (since about 1584) as evidenced by 11 generations of genealogical documents. We have always understood that both historical fact and local legend attribute the symbol of the city to a "Greek" or Phoenician vessel.

Regards

Grandcross (talk) 20:15, 22 June 2008 (UTC)grandcross

—Preceding unsigned comment added by Grandcross (talk • contribs) 20:13, 22 June 2008 (UTC)

White Fleet fisheries.
Please explain what this means. It is obviously not the same thing as White fleet, which is a British Navy term. Sincerely, GeorgeLouis 17:43, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

White fleet is the cod fish fleet of the 60s http://www.infonet.st-johns.nf.ca/green/various.html ... that is the name it is known in Portugal UK and Canada Cheers Quiafodu

Popular history.
Hello, all. If you have a story or other folklore about this town, please find where it is so written and quote that source. Wikipedia has a policy against using material that cannot be checked and verified by others. You don't have to say that the stories are true, but we have to have another source — as reputable as possible — for the fact that it really is a local story and not something that you just made up today. Sincerely, GeorgeLouis 19:53, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

It is something from the popular folklore... probably written in some bed time story book of the region... i will try to get the reference.

Geological Markers
When describing a location, I find it informative to read about the terrain. The terrain is the major determinant in the historical lifestyle of the inhabitants. Also, the geological features have changed over time; No one knows the exact boundaries, however, Ilhavo was at one time right on the coast since neigbouring Gafanha D'Aquem was once under the sea (go to any sandy lot and you will find shells).

CFaria75 (talk) 21:36, 23 April 2008 (UTC)