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Greece / Thessaloniki / Development / Mobility

Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November

The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays

Sep 30, 2024 13:49
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Spain / Barcelona / Culture and Tourism / Development

These elements will crown the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona for the highest viewpoint in the city

The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death

Sep 20, 2024 17:36

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Shops in this Bordeaux suburb accept cryptocurrency as payment

Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin

Sep 24, 2024 16:47
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Next year, Germany's Deutschlandticket will cost 58 euros

That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass

Sep 24, 2024 13:27

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Germany / Politics and Reforms

Voters in a Bavarian town elected a mayor whose name wasn’t on the ballot

Steffen Romstöck said that he would respect the residents’ choice and would take over the helm of the municipality, even if he didn’t run

Sep 18, 2024 13:50
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Greece / Athens / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

Athens to ban new short-term lets

The measure, which will come into force from 1 January 2025, will be partial and temporary…for now

Sep 17, 2024 16:22

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Brussels tries out a novel rooftop wind turbine suitable for cities

Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape

Sep 27, 2024 12:52
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AI-powered drones in Finland could patrol the skies in search of wildfires

But operating them is still illegal under the country’s legislation

Sep 20, 2024 16:33

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Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

New digital map showcases creative energy solutions across Europe

The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition

Sep 26, 2024 14:09
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France / Digital transformation / Economy and Finance

Shops in this Bordeaux suburb accept cryptocurrency as payment

Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin

Sep 24, 2024 16:47

Energy efficiency

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Belgium / Brussels / Energy efficiency / Innovation and Research

Brussels tries out a novel rooftop wind turbine suitable for cities

Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape

Sep 27, 2024 12:52
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Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

New digital map showcases creative energy solutions across Europe

The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition

Sep 26, 2024 14:09

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Greece / Thessaloniki / Development / Mobility

Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November

The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays

Sep 30, 2024 13:49
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Germany / Mobility

Mannheim debuts longest tram in the world

Plus, it has a unique modular design that allows it to be shortened and lengthened like a train

Sep 27, 2024 17:03

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The Olympic Rings have left the Eiffel Tower, but they’ll be back

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Sep 30, 2024 17:57
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Marseille is home to this year's coolest neighbourhood in the world

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Sep 26, 2024 17:37

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France / Paris / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

The Olympic Rings have left the Eiffel Tower, but they’ll be back

At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo

Sep 30, 2024 17:57
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Spain / Culture and Tourism

Oldest inn in Catalonia marked 500 years of non-stop business

Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region

Sep 30, 2024 16:57

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Budapest / Prague / Education and Sport / Social City

Here are Europe’s 5 best student cities

On the eve of the new academic year, the ranking considers several distinct but essential factors

Sep 19, 2024 17:47
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Education and Sport

Kicking for the Future: How Football Clubs are Creating Sustainable Urban Spaces

Sep 19, 2024 10:06

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Belgium / Mobility / Welfare and Health

Shhh!: Belgian railways introduce silent compartments on board

Following a successful trial phase, these quiet areas will now be available on all main routes in the country

Sep 24, 2024 18:04
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France / Education and Sport / Welfare and Health

Check out these sleeping pods at the University of Lille library

The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students

Sep 12, 2024 16:24
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Hanna Zdanowska: We are one of the leaders in eco-transition and Łódź is much greener than before

Jul 24, 2024 14:48
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh: True urban development must be inclusive and affordable, otherwise it’s not sustainable

Jun 27, 2024 12:45
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Carlos Moedas: Our ambition is to become a city where entrepreneurs can come to scale their businesses

Jun 20, 2024 13:25
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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María José Catalá: the Green Capital mindset is transversal to all action levels and will continue in the years to come

Jun 5, 2024 15:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Urmas Klaas: Arts can and must give people the ability and courage to dream of a future

Mar 6, 2024 12:18
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Wolfgang Teubner: Тhe path towards the end of fossil fuels is irreversible

Dec 21, 2023 11:03
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Ibrahim Kraria: While AI can play a role in combating hate speech, it can also amplify its spread

Aug 16, 2023 17:08
Mihaela Roxana GODINAC
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Bertrand Piccard: If something looks impossible, that’s why we try do to it!

Jun 9, 2023 15:40
Denis Balgaranov
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Interviews / Read Twice

Maja Sever: Journalism is a pillar of democracy

Apr 10, 2023 13:46
Magdalena Magdić
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Kaisa Karjalainen: “It’s better to be an imperfect zero waster for the rest of our lives than a perfect one for two weeks”

Mar 14, 2023 12:56
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

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Portugal image
Portugal
Viana do Castelo image

Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo
José Maria da Cunha Costa
Mayor

José Maria da Cunha Costa

Biography
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Capital city of the district in North of Portugal, Viana do Castelo is located at the mouth of the river Lima, on whose estuary lies the seaport, with a commercial Pier, fishing dock and three bustling marinas for leisure and fishing boats.  The history of Viana do Castelo began at Monte de Santa Luzia, where there is a church today. In 1258, Viana do Castelo was founded along the mouth of the Lima River by D. Afonso III. Its port was very important during the Time of the Discoveries. From this Marine Village left many boats that returned full of treasures that enriched the population. In 1374, the city’s wall was completed, at the time with four doors: Porta de S. Pedro, Porta da Ribeira, Porta do Postigo and Porta de Santiago. In the XVI century, the Victory Gate was opened. In 1502, for defense against piracy, a fortification was built  called Torre da Roqueta. On 1 June 1512, D. Manuel granted Foral Novo to Viana for considering it an important maritime trade center. Throughout the middle Ages, Viana was an important seaport, and during the time of the Portuguese Discoveries, the port of Viana was even the third busiest in the country. 

Currently, to its notable heritage built over its seven and a half centuries of history, the city added a rich and varied natural heritage, especially the Atlantic beaches, most of them already distinguished with the maximum quality award. In its vigorous associative movement, with more than 200 cultural associations, sports and solidarity, the city stands out with its 28 ethnographic groups and 24 music schools, contributing actively to the preservation of the music, dance, embroidery and costumes embodying Viana’s culture, today classified as symbols of the country.

In the last decade, the city has undergone a major urban requalification and progressive environmental valorization. Nowadays, Viana do Castelo is also considered a "Mecca of Architecture" thanks to the many important names in contemporary Portuguese architecture who have designed the city’s amenities and spaces. This is the case of the Praça da Liberdade by Fernando Távora, the Library by Álvaro Siza Vieira, the Youth Hostel by Carrilho da Graça, the Axis Hotel by Jorge Albuquerque and also the Viana do Castelo Cultural Centre, by Souto Moura, amongst many others.

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Bulgaria / Finland / France / Poland / Portugal / Spain / Gabrovo / Helsinki / Madrid / Viana do Castelo / Development / Energy efficiency

6 regions selected for the European Entrepreneurial Region Award 2021-2022

“Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Recovery” is this year's theme

Mar 18, 2021 14:34
Beatrice Stanimirova
  • en
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Viana do Castelo / Energy efficiency

Clean energy for Portugal

The world’s largest wind farm installed on a floating platform

Feb 18, 2020 14:40
TheMayor.EU
  • en
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Viana do Castelo / Development

Viana do Castelo repurposes bullfighting arena

The city wants to demonstrably sever ties with its bullfighting past

Sep 27, 2019 08:47
Anton Stoyanov
  • en
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Viana do Castelo / Energy efficiency

Let Viana do Castelo flower and take care of your balcony

If you live in the city’s centre, take part in the “Flowering the Historic Centre” initiative

Sep 21, 2019 13:28
Anton Stoyanov
  • en
  • pt
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Portugal / Aveiro / Braga / Faro / Leiria / Lisbon / Mealhada / Porto / Santarém / Viana do Castelo / Economy and Finance / Mobility

E-Bike subsidy scheme in Portugal

The state will support the purchase of up to 1000 electric bicycles

Feb 22, 2019 12:31
Olya Georgieva
  • en
  • pt
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Viana do Castelo / Development

Viana do Castelo has been named as the best district to live in Portugal

The 18 districts were classified according to 12 factors

Jan 24, 2019 14:51
Olya Georgieva
  • en
  • pt
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Aveiro / Braga / Faro / Leiria / Lisbon / Mealhada / Porto / Santarém / Viana do Castelo / Culture and Tourism

More than 17 million people visited the Portuguese museums this year

Culture attracts more and more people, and the increase in visitors last year proves it

Dec 13, 2018 10:24
Olya Georgieva

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