Editing Valongo (section)

===19th century===
At the dawn of the 19th century, Valongo experiences the hardship of the presence of [[Napoleon]]'s troops, during [[Peninsular War|the French Invasions]]. A division settled in Valongo, turning the church into a stable and plundering values from individuals and the church.<ref name=":0" />

These lands, therefore, served as a stage for battles and military movements that took place between the two straying brothers: D. Pedro, on the side of the Liberals, D. Miguel, on the part of the Miguelists/Absolutists. During this period two important battles take place: the [[Battle of Ponte Ferreira]] and the Battle of the Ant. In Ermesinde, the former Convent of Nª. Mr. do Bom Despacho (now, the Church of St. Rita), became a military hospital for Miguelists forces.<ref name=":0" />

By decree published on November 29, 1836, D. Maria II creates the Municipality of Valongo with the parishes of Sobrado, Campo and Gandra (which belonged to the Municipality of Baltar) and Alfena, Ermesinde and Valongo (which belonged to the Municipality of Maia).<ref name=":0" />{{Citation needed|date=December 2024|reason=Source does not go into this much detail}}

On May 18, 1852, there was a lunch at Travagem offered by the Municipality chamber to the Royal Family composed of [[Maria II of Portugal|Queen D. Maria II]], [[Ferdinand II of Portugal|King D. Fernando II]], then prince D. Pedro (future [[Pedro V of Portugal|D. Pedro V]]) and then prince D. Luís (future [[Luís I of Portugal|D. Luís I]]). This lunch took place on the last visit of D. Maria II to the north of Portugal in the form of thanks for the creation of the Municipality of Valongo in 1836.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

Years later, there would be another royal visit, this time by D. Luís and D. Maria Pia. "For a long time, there was still talk with great admiration of the gigantic and beautiful arches that were made in many places of passage of the procession and that gave the celebrations an admirable splendor."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Costa|first=José Anégia.|title=Valongo, um salto para a modernidade|year=2000|location=Paços de Ferreira|pages=8–37}}</ref>

Between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 20th century, large farming houses were built across the municipality. The road network was developed within the limits of the municipality, which began being served by transport such as the tram and train. The main artery of Valongo and Ermesinde saw the opening of commercial establishments. During this time, the local population increased with migration from the interior of Portugal.<ref name=":0" />

By the middle of the 19th century, the region became an attractive site for the [[mining]] of [[slate]], but also of [[antimony]], [[tungsten]] and [[coal]]. At the borders of Ermesinde, large factories were set up, such as “Resineira”, “Cerâmica” - “Empresa Industrial de Ermesinde” and “Têxtil de Sá”, among others. The Municipality became the site for the expansion of industries such as [[metallurgy]], [[Textile|textile manufacturing]], [[Construction|civil construction]], public works, [[Food industry|food]], [[Wood industry|wood]] and [[furniture]]. Compared to the other parishes, Campo and Sobrado retain a greater level of rurality. The [[smallholding]] regime sustain their living with traditional productions - the vine, the [[Maize|corn]] and the fodder, which is linked to the production of [[milk]]. New crops such as [[Kiwifruit|kiwi]] and also were introduced to the region.<ref name=":0" />