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(Chamada para a
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The town of Alcochete is located on the South bank of the Tejo near the Nature Park of the Tejo estuary. Its proximity to the river gives it its salt pans. And its proximity to Ribatejo gives it its "campinos" (cowboys) and "forcados" (bull wrestlers). There are the traditional bull fights and running of the bulls on feast days in Summer, particularly the Barrete Verde feast and the Salinas feast. Pedestrians in the streets have to run away from the bulls.
The name "Alcochete" is derived from the Arabic word for "kiln" as there were many in that area. Its foundation probably dates back to the 7th and 9th centuries, after the Moors conquered Lisbon. Several Portuguese kings gave importance to Alcochete. King João I and King João II spent long periods here for rest and recreation. Prince Fernando (brother of King Afonso V) had his residence here, where the future King Manuel was born in 1469. In the 17th and 18th centuries the production of salt was developed as well as the firewood industry. The county was dissolved in 1895 and re-established 3 years later.