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Trofa () is a city and a municipality in the north of the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, from Porto. The population in 2021 was 38,548, in an area of . Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país The city centre is formed by the parish Bougado (São Martinho e Santiago), which had 21,374 inhabitants in 2021. Another important locality in the municipality is Coronado.
Trofa has an industrial park, with various types of businesses including pharmaceutical, metalworking and textile industries. Bial, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Portugal is headquartered in Coronado.
The earliest known written reference to the area dates to 979, in a deed from the Monastery of Moreira in Maia. This document mentions Alvarelhos (alvarelios), São Cristóvão do Muro (sanctum christoforum), and Cedões (zadones), the latter located in Santiago de Bougado. By the 13th century, the region was part of the Terra da Maia, as documented in the inquiries of King Afonso III. This administrative structure persisted until 1384, when the territory was integrated into the jurisdiction of Porto.
In 1527, King Manuel I granted a foral (charter) to Maia, recognizing its administrative status and formalizing its privileges. Despite this recognition, the area remained largely rural, with its economy based on agriculture and small-scale crafts.
The liberal reforms of 1835 brought administrative changes. Queen Maria II established the judicial district of Santo Tirso, which included the eight parishes that now form Trofa: São Martinho de Bougado, Santiago de Bougado, Covelas, Muro, Alvarelhos, Guidões, São Romão do Coronado, and São Mamede do Coronado.
The late 19th century brought significant industrial and infrastructural development to the region. The construction of the Porto-Braga railway, the Guimarães railway, and new road networks spurred industrialization and reshaped the Ave Valley's economy. These changes marked the beginning of urbanization in Trofa, transitioning it from a predominantly rural area to an emerging industrial hub. By the 20th century, Trofa had become a center for textile production, supported by the region’s industrial growth. However, this rapid development came at an environmental cost. The Ave River and its tributaries suffered severe pollution, leading to the decline of aquatic ecosystems and the loss of traditional industries such as flax processing, hydraulic mills, and agriculture along the riverbanks. Recreational use of the river also dwindled, with local communities turning away from the degraded waterways.
Efforts to establish Trofa as an independent municipality began after the Carnation Revolution in 1974. Trofa was granted town status in 1984 and elevated to city status in 1993. On November 19, 1998, the Portuguese Parliament approved the creation of the Municipality of Trofa, which officially gained administrative autonomy in 1999.
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