Last modified: 2022-01-29 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: meda | hay heap | maize(ear) |
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![[Mêda municipality]](../images/p/pt-mda.gif)
2:3 image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2017
It is a typical Portuguese municipal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a field gyronny of eight of white and green. The arms are nearly the same as in previous flag, but the inscription of the scroll is "MUNICÍPIO DE MÊDA".
Source: Mêda municipal webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2017
![[Mêda municipality CoA]](../images/p/pt-mda).gif)
image by Sérgio Horta, 14 Dec 2006
Shield Argent, issuant from a ground Sable semy of plants Vert a hay heap Vert and Or, topped by an ear of maize proper. Mural crown Argent with five visible towers (city rank) and white scroll reading in black upper case letters "MUNICÍPIO DE MÊDA".
Meaning:
The arms are canting for "mêda" (also spelt "meda") means "hay heap". Though the municipality and its seat are one of the least known in the country, it includes in its territory at least three noteworthy sites, such as Marialva, Longroiva and Rabaçal.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Dec 2006 and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2017
![[Mêda municipality (2005-2016)]](../images/p/pt-mda5.gif)
2:3 image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2017
It was a plain green flag with centred arms and the same shield as before, but the number of visible towers had increased up to five, and the inscription of the scroll had been changed to "CIDADE DE MÊDA" (date estimated due to date of upgrade).
Sources: Mêda municipal webpage and Portuguese WIKIPEDIA.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2017
![[Mêda municipality (1935-2005)]](../images/p/pt-mda4.gif)
2:3 image by Sérgio Horta, 14 Dec 2006
It was a quite typical Portuguese municipal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain green field, but having just four visible towers in the arms and inscription "VILA DE MÊDA".
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Dec 2006 and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2017
![[Mêda municipality plain]](../images/p/pt-mda0.gif)
2:3 image by António Martins-Tuválkin, Apr 2010
Acc. to source above the current flag was inaugurated on 15 July 2016. Flag and coat of arms of the town published in the official journal Diário do Governo : I Série on 8 November 1935. Mêda was promoted from town to a city on 26 January 2005 (though its population has decreased 50% in the last 40 years! It is remarkable insofar that Mêda had not even 2000 inhabitants in 2011 and just a bit more in 2001. Usually 3000 are required for town status.). Hopefully the need to dully update the mural crown will be used as an opportunity to give this municipality some real heraldry, instead of a farming postcard.
Source: Portuguese WIKIPEDIA
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Dec 2006 and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2017
The municipality had 5202 inhabitants in 2011, and it is divided in 11 communes, covering 285.9 km². It belongs to: Guarda District, traditional province Beira Alta, 1999 ref. adm. region Norte, C.C.R./NUT2 Centro, and NUT3 Beira Interior Norte.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 14 Dec 2006 and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2017
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