Castelo de Paiva () is a town and a municipality of the Aveiro District in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 16,733,Instituto Nacional de Estatística in an area of 115.01 km2.
On 4 March 2001 at 9 pm, a 116-year-old metal bridge linking the parish/council of Sobrado (a.k.a. Castelo de Paiva) and Entre-os-Rios (a bridge connecting Castelo de Paiva to Penafiel) collapsed, killing 59 people, including those in a bus from the Asadouro company and three cars that were attempting to get to the other side of the Douro river.Entre-os-Rios: Seis técnicos na barra do tribunal amanhã in Diário Digital, April 18, 2006 The Hintze Ribeiro Bridge disaster prompted accusations of government negligence, and the Public Works minister Jorge Coelho resigned shortly after the disaster. There is a monument near the bridge in honour of the people who died, known as the "Anjo de Portugal" (The Angel of Portugal).
The Mayor is Gonçalo Rocha, elected by the Socialist Party (PS). His term goes until 2021.
The municipal holiday is 24 June, Saint John's day.
Demographics Population of Castelo de Paiva Municipality (1801–2004) 1801 1849 1900 1930 1960 1981 1991 2001 2011 6691 7586 9728 11450 17756 17026 16515 17338 16733
Parishes Administratively, the municipality is divided into 6 civil parishes (freguesias): Fornos Raiva, Pedorido e Paraíso Real Santa Maria de Sardoura São Martinho de Sardoura Sobrado e Bairros
Points of interest
Câmara Municipal (Municipal Palace) Largo do Conde (Cont's Square) Douro River Passadiços do Paiva (Paiva Walkways) Paiva River
The Legend of Saint Anthony in Castelo de Paiva Researchers, archeologists and journalists have found documents that proves the connection between Saint Anthony of Padua and Castelo de Paiva. His parents, Martim de Bulhões, and D. Teresa Taveira were born in this council.
Other notable people José Nunes (born 1977) a Portuguese former footballer with 501 club caps Pedro Filipe Soares (born 1979) a Portuguese mathematician and politician Sérgio Fernando da Silva Rodrigues (born 1985) known as Serginho, is a Portuguese footballer with over 300 club caps Marco Pereira (born 1987) known as Marco, a Portuguese footballer with over 330 club caps
References
External links Town Hall official website BBC News story: Portugal bridge collapse 'kills 70'