Vizeu

Vizeu, or Viseu, an episcopal city and the capital of the district of Vizeu, Portugal, at the terminus of a branch of the Figueira da Foz-Guarda railway, and on the Ribeira d'Asnos, a sub-tributary of the Mondego. Pop. (1900) 8057. The cathedral, which was founded in the 12th century, contains pictures by the native artist Grao Vasco (16th century). The city stands near the ruins of the ancient Vacca, or Cava de Viriato, a Roman military colony founded by Decius Brutus and captured by Viriathus (2nd century B.C.). The administrative district of Vizeu coincides with the central and northern parts of the ancient province of Beira. Pop. (1900) 402,259; area, 1937 sq. m.