Description São João da Madeira

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The municipality is limited to the north and west by the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, and to the east and south by Oliveira de Azeméis. Its strong development, in the second half of the 20th century, led to the expansion of its urban area outside the limits of its small municipality.

From ancient civilizations to the present day
With traces of the Celtic, Roman, Arab and Visigoth civilizations, it is known that the population aggregate dates back to distant times, however it only appeared in 1088 for the first time referenced in written sources.

It was with the industrial revolution of the 19th century that S. João da Madeira registered a great growth, initially with the hat and dairy industry and later with the current important footwear industry. In 1888 the new church of the city was inaugurated and in 1908 King D. Manuel II also inaugurated the Railway line that supplied S. João da Madeira, the Vale do Vouga Line.

Oliveira de Azeméis makes it possible to visit some of the most emblematic companies and institutions in the municipality in the areas of footwear, hats, pencils and trimmings. The welcome center is located in the Torre da Oliva building and on the website it is possible to choose and book among several circuits.