Side altar – Igreja Matriz de Ponte de Lima

Frans Harren ha aggiunto una foto al pool:

Side altar - Igreja Matriz de Ponte de Lima

PONTE DE LIMA is a small town in the picturesque province of Minho, 90 km north of Porto and 25 km east of Viana do Castelo. The motorway linking Porto to Spain passes nearby the town.

This dreamy market town is named after the bridge which crosses the River Lima (Ponte de Lima literally means «Lima bridge»).

The origins of Ponte de Lima are lost in the mist of time. Inhabited by the «Limicos» in 150 B.C., several archaeological remains bear witness to the existence of «castros» (pre-Roman settlements) as well as Roman «villæ» standing on the banks of river Lima or along the ancient military road leading from Braga to Astorga (in Spain), the names of which are still preserved by the local toponymy.<br />

According to the legend, when the Romans reached this point on their march through Iberia they had a great deal of trouble leaving because the soldiers were convinced the Rio Lima was the River Lethes – the mythical river of oblivion – and that if they crossed it they would forget everything. It was only after their leader, Decimus Junius Brutus, plunged ahead and shouted back their legionaries’ names that they braved the waters.

The Roman bridge after which Ponte de Lima is named supposedly marks the very spot, and is part of the Roman road from Braga to Astorga in Spain. It is just one of several well-preserved historical features which give the town its character, though there is no pressure for major sightseeing here: the charm of the place lies in its sandy riverbank (the site of fantastic bimonthly markets and annual fairs) and shady riverside walks, its rural surroundings and laid-back atmosphere. 16c fountain in Camões Square As the headquarters of Turismo de Habitação , it also offers more properties than any other town. Unfortunately for traditionalists, a golf course and race course have recently opened too, marking Ponte de Lima’s coming-of-age in up-market tourism.

The present borough of Ponte de Lima lies between the banks of rivers Neiva and Lima and comprises 51 parishes. A population of 45000 spreads over 321 km2 of unspoilt countryside, full of art and natural beauty and rich in cultural heritage.

The old bridge crosses the Rio Lima here, connecting Ponte de Lima with Arcozelo on the other side. Further downstream is the modern Ponte de Nossa Senhora da Guia, carrying the Braga to Valença N201 highway. A newer part of town stretches uphill, south and east of Praça da República , but all sights of interest are in the old town along the riverside. Currently (March 2000) some archæological diggings are under way in Largo de Camões which have uncovered further archs of the bridge (earthed in the 19th century) and, as part of the primitive, rather intricate urban structure of the spot, the foundations of the Grilo ‘s Tower (see picture) which was once part of the town’s walled fortifications.

Ponte de Lima

The parish church, off Rua Cardeal Saraiva, is one of several eye-catching medieval monuments in this part of town. It dates from the 14th century but was remodelled in the 18th century. A fine Romanesque doorway remains from earlier days.

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