Odivelas is a city, in the concelho (municipality) of Odivelas in the district of Lisbon, in Portugal.

Geography

The city of Odivelas is located northwest of Lisbon in its metropolitan area, in conurbation with Lisbon. The concelho of Odivelas has an area of 26.1 km².

Demographics

The population of the city of Odivelas is of 53,448. The municipality of Odivelas has 133,894 inhabitants in 7 freguesias.

Highlights

The most famous monument in Odivelas is the Cruzeiro which was built in the time of king D. Dinis of Portugal, more than 600 hundred years ago, it still stands in almost perfect condition in the heart of the city.

There is also a convent which has become the Instituto de Odivelas , a school for girls sponsored by the Ministry of Defense of Portugal.

History

Sports

Odivelas Futebol Clube (Site Oficial) is the most representative sporting association in the city, with three soccer fields, gimnasium, and other facilities.

Miscellaneous

According to a legend the name Odivelas came by chance when the king D. Dinis misunderstood a few words her wife said to him when they were on their way to visit the nuns in the convent of what was later called Odivelas. She said "ide vê-las" (go see them), talking about the nuns, but apparently he understood "Odivelas", which became the name of that place.