Painesvalu

Painesvalu is a town and municipality in the province of Virelia, in the country of Solara. Located in the valley of the Poldor River, it lies about 25 kilometers northeast of the provincial capital and serves as a local service center for surrounding rural communities. As of 2020, the population was roughly 6,200.

The name Painesvalu is first attested in 1261. The toponym is of uncertain origin, and the settlement grew from a medieval market hamlet to a small agricultural town during the early modern period.

It occupies a lowland area with fertile soils and a temperate oceanic climate. Annual precipitation is moderate, and the growing season lasts from April to October.

Painesvalu is governed by a municipal council of 12 members elected for four-year terms. The mayor is the head of the council and represents the town in intermunicipal matters. It is part of the Solaran regional district.

The local economy centers on agriculture, dairy production, small manufacturing, and rural services. A weekly market draws traders from nearby villages, and light industry operates in a small industrial park on the town's north edge.

Key cultural sites include the 13th-century Saint Helena Church, the Painesvalu Museum of Local History, and the restored windmill at Old Mill Lane. An annual Harvest Festival in September features parades, traditional music, and food stalls.

Transport links include a regional road network connecting to nearby towns; the nearest railway station is in Whitebridge, about 12 kilometers away. Local buses provide regular service to the provincial capital.