Juncal

Juncal is a civil parish in the municipality of Porto de Mós, Portugal, with an area of 26,64 km² and population of 3,197 (2021).

== History == In former times, when the land was wetter, the reed plant would have grown abundantly on the land, hence the name "Juncal", as the name in portuguese for reed is "junco". It is also because of the abundance of this plant that one of the most important craft activities was the manufacture of reed baskets and very simple hand-looms. Ceramic baskets and ancient coins discovered in the locality of Andam, a town near by, have proven the presence of Roman civilisations in this area. The original village was located in S. Miguel do Peral (a now abandoned area). As this place was very unsheltered and lacked water, the inhabitants moved to the place where the village now stands. Thus, in 1560 the parish of Juncal was founded, keeping S. Miguel (Saint Michael) as its patron saint. The old chapel located in S. Miguel do Peral gradually fell down, remaining now only the main chapel of the old temple, which is still used once a year, for the Monday mass during the festivities of S. Miguel, during the 3rd weekend of August.