Aerial views of the town, Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Vila Nova de Milfontes is a town and civil parish (freguesia) in the municipality (concelho) of Odemira, in the Alentejo region in Portugal. The population in 2021 was 5,653, in an area of 76.48 km2.
One of the older parishes in the municipality, it was founded in 1485 by King John II. The area was constituted to serve an economic and defensive role in the Alentejo, at the confluence of the Mira River, and benefited from its strategic importance as a safe harbor. The first inhabitants were prisoners sentenced by minor crimes; 50 years later the population of the parish was little more than ten families.
The village was frequently attacked by pirates and was destroyed completely in 1590. Subsequently, a fortress was constructed on this site: the Fort of São Clemente (Forte de São Clemente), which was constructed between 1599 and 1602, during the reign of King Philip II.
During the 19th century, the parish was integrated into the municipality of Odemira, during the administrative reforms of Mouzinho da Silveira.
Vila Nova de Milfontes was involved in Portuguese aviation, being one of the first points between Portugal and Macau, completed by Brito Paes (a citizen of Colos in Vila Nova de Milfontes) and Sarmento Beires. On 7 April 1924, these pilots left Campo dos Coitos, near Milfontes on their voyage to the Far East. In homage to the aviators and their historic flight, in the Barbacã Square (alongside the fort), a monument was erected to mark their voyage.
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