Happy TravellerWelcome to São João da Madeira, a small but vibrant city located in the northwestern region of Portugal. Despite its small size, São João da Madeira is a city with a rich history and a thriving economy. It is part of the larger Porto Metropolitan Area, located just 30 km from central Porto. With a population of just over 21,000, it is the smallest municipality in Portugal, but don’t let its size fool you – there is plenty to see and do here.
History:
São João da Madeira has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the time of the Celts, Romans, Moors, and Visigoths. The first mention of São João da Madeira occurred in 1088, and the designation of Madeira was in reference to the abundance of trees and forest that continued to exist in the region. In the 19th century, São João da Madeira experienced significant growth, thanks to commercial and industrial development linked to the manufacture of hats and the dairy industry. The city’s prosperity was driven by the establishment of the first fur hat factory in 1892, which eventually became one of the major symbols of São João da Madeira’s new economy, the Empresa Industrial de Chapelaria Lda. The hat-making industry slowly declined in the following decades, with the decline in the use of hats, and the shoe-making industry grew in importance, resulting in its reference as the Capital of Footwear in Portugal.
Geography:
The municipality of São João da Madeira is situated in the extreme north of the district of Aveiro, in the historical region of Beira Litoral, occupying a position central in the subregion of Entre Douro e Vouga. It is approximately 18 kilometres from the Portuguese Atlantic coast, 32 kilometres from the regional capital of Porto, 40 kilometres from Aveiro and 275 kilometres from the national capital. It straddles the a hilltop portion of the geomorphological massif that extends from 50 to 400 metres above sea level. The climate in this region is maritime in character, with heavy winter rainfall countered by short dry summers.
Economy:
São João da Madeira’s economy is based on services and industry, employing 62% in secondary and 38% in tertiary sectors. Its economy is dominated by micro and small businesses, and it is the head of the shoe industry in Portugal, an important industrial activity in Portugal, having the seat of the Shoe Technological Centre. Beyond that, the city is developing a Science Park and main Centro Empresarial e Tecnológico (Business and Technology Centre), as well as an important commercial, financial, and service centre of the region, having its largest Shopping Mall and largest concentration of banks. The city is also home to the Hat-making Museum, one symbol of the city and unique in the Iberian Peninsula.
Tourism:
São João da Madeira is an industrial tourism destination, and it was the first city in the country to introduce this tourism. The routes include the only pencil factory in operation in Portugal, the shoe and headwear industry. A Vocational Training Centre of the Footwear Industry and the Portuguese Technological Footwear Centre are part of this industrial tourism route, as well as the Hat Museum. São João da Madeira is also home to several notable architectural landmarks, including the Emperor Theatre, the Oliva Factory, and the São João da Madeira Railway Station.
Whether you’re interested in history, industry, or just want to experience the unique culture of this charming city, São João da Madeira has something for everyone. Come and discover this hidden gem
