Ílhavo () is a municipality located in the centre of Portugal. The population in 2021 was 39,239, in an area of 73.48 km². The Municipality of Ílhavo includes four parishes and two cities: Gafanha da Nazaré and Ílhavo (City). General information Several stories have been gathered as part of the popular history of this city: Traditionally, the local women — As ilhavenses — are famous for their great beauty. It is claimed the city was founded by Greek colonists around 400 BC to whom the beauty of "ilhavenses" women is attributed, but others state that the Phoenician settlers are the ones responsible for that. Ílhavo's nickname is "the city of the lamp" (a cidade da lâmpada). According to legend, one Sunday during Mass, one of the most important relics of the church (an oil lamp) was stolen in front of everybody and was never found. The myth continued given Ílhavo that nickname. Parishes Administratively, the municipality is divided into four civil parishes (freguesias): Gafanha da Encarnação Gafanha da Nazaré Gafanha do Carmo Ílhavo (São Salvador) Cities and towns There are two cities in the municipality. Gafanha da Nazaré (city) Ílhavo (City) Civic information The municipality day is Easter Monday. City hall motto: "The Sea as Tradition". Tourism Seasoned by the salt and the sun, by maritime breeze and by the wild pine scent, the mood of Ilhavo's native people is happy, energetic, daring and creative. The daily working adventure, sometimes tragic, didn't erase the sweetness of these women and men, who, by knowing themselves privileged for inhabiting such a unique territory, full of scenic beauty and disputed by the land, the sea and the salted lagoon, on games of lights and tides, throw themselves to work and leisure, with the same energy, enthusiasm and pride for their culture and identity. Witnesses of that character are the Maritime Museum of Ílhavo, with its Codfish Aquarium, Santo André's Ship Museum and the Investigation and Entrepreneurship Centre, one of the most visited across the country, honouring all those who, in the past and the present, dedicate their lives to fishing, either at deep-sea – such as cod fishing – at the coast or at the lagoon, and even to riverside activities. Of that same type is the Museum of Vista Alegre, yet today, a symbol for national excellence on the fields of creativity, quality and entrepreneurship. It reminds not only the industrial heritage