Terra de Miranda

Terra(s) de Miranda (European Portuguese: [ˈtɛʁɐ(ʒ) ðɨ miˈɾɐ̃dɐ]; Mirandese: Tierra(s) de Miranda, Mirandese: [ˈtjerɐ(z̺) ðɨ miˈɾɐ̃dɐ]; lit. 'Land(s) of Miranda') is a cultural region in northeastern Portugal, centered around the city of Miranda de l Douro (Portuguese: Miranda do Douro) on the border with Spain, where Mirandese (rather than Portuguese) is commonly spoken.

The etymology of the toponym Miranda is still debated, though it is a common place name across Portugal, Spain, and their former colonial empires. The Latin mirandus means "worthy of admiration" (whence the given name "Miranda"), and when used in a place name seems to indicate an area at or around a vantage point, such as a watchtower or a belvedere.

The use of tierra(s)/terra(s) serves to distinguish the wider cultural area from the smaller Miranda do Douro municipality.

Though it does not have any precisely agreed-upon boundaries, at its narrowest, it consists of the municipality of Miranda de l Douro as well neighboring parishes in the Bumioso (Portuguese: Vimioso) and Mogadouro municipalities where Mirandese dialects remain in common use. At its broadest, it may include most or all of the regions of Bragança District east of the Sabor River, including areas where Leonese dialects distinct from Mirandese are/were spoken (such as Deilão and Rio de Onor parishes). These regions were historically part of the Diocese of Astorga, and during the Reconquista were settled by speakers of Old Leonese (which eventually evolved into Mirandese and other Asturleonese dialects).

Among the best known cultural features of the area are the Mirandese language, the Pauliteiros, the pagan rituals practiced from Christmas to Easter, the farandulo, and bagpipe music.

• Miranda do Douro

• Map of the Terra de Miranda
• Mirandes na net. Lhengua i Cultura Mirandesa
• Ethnologue report for Miranda do Douro (Mirandese)