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Massamá e Monte Abraão United Commune (Portugal)

Last modified: 2015-06-23 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: massama | monte abraao | base(wavy) | fanlight | crescent(recumbent) | wheat(ear) | mountain | dolmen | rose(red) |
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União das Freguesias de Massamá e Monte Abraão, Concelho de Sintra, Distrito de Lisboa


See also:

Former Massamá commune (1997-2013)

[Massamá commune (1997-2013)] 2:3 image by , 31 Mar 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain yellow field.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 31 Mar 2015

Coat of arms

Shield Gules with base wavy of Argent and Azure, a fanlight Or with window Azure flanked in chief by a crescent recumbent Argent at dexter and two wheat ears Or crossed per saltire at sinister. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank)and white scroll with inscription in black initials: "MASSAMÁ".
Meaning:
The fanlight is representing the many fanlights of the Águas Livres Aqueduct in the commune, the blue window is symbolizing water. The crescent is alluding to the Mozarabic term "Maçamá", derived from Arabic "Mactamá", which means "water place" or "fountain". It is also symbolizing the former permanent Moorish rule of the region. The wheat ears are reminding on the fact that Massamá had been one of the most important and most fertile Portuguese granaries in the past. The base wavy is alluding to three local water courses and the local riches of water. The red base colour is reminding on the long-lasting Moorish presence in the region.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 31 Mar 2015

The commune was established on 12 July 1997. Flag and arms published in Diário da República: III Série on 9 August 2000
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 31 Mar 2015


Presentation of Massamá

Massamá Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Sintra Municipality (q.v.); it had 28 112 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 2.8 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 31 Mar 2015


Former Monte Abraão commune (until 2013)

[Monte Abraão commune (until 2013)] 2:3 image by , 31 Mar 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain blue field.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 31 Mar 2015

Coat of arms

Shield Or with base wavy of Argent and Azure crowned by a mountain issuant Vert charged with a megalithic dolmen Argent, in central chief a heraldic rose Gules seeded Or and barbed Vert. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers(village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials: "MONTE ABRAÃO".
Meaning:
The mountain is a canting element. The rose is an attribute of Our Lady of Faith, the local patron saint.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 31 Mar 2015

Published in Diário da República: III Série on 6 May 2002. Draft of flag and arms made by Carlos Bottelho.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 31 Mar 2015


Presentation of Monte Abraão

Monte Abraão Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Sintra Municipality (q.v.); it had 20 809 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 1.9 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 31 Mar 2015


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