Ponte de Lima developed around the crossing of the Rio Lima on the Roman road between Bracara Augusta (present-day Braga) and Asturica Augusta (present-day Astorga), a corridor later followed by pilgrims towards Santiago. D. Teresa granted the settlement a foral, or charter, in 1125, which also protected travellers attending its fair - the earliest known written reference to a fair in Portugal.
The Camino still crosses the Lima on the combined Roman and medieval bridge before continuing north towards Arcozelo and the Serra da Labruja.
Qué ver en Ponte de Lima
Torre da Cadeia Velha
The Torre da Cadeia Velha survives from Ponte de Lima's medieval defences. Converted into a prison in 1511, it remained in use for that purpose until the 20th century and now houses the tourist office and exhibitions.
Ponte romana
The bridge that gave Ponte de Lima its name combines a surviving Roman section with a longer medieval crossing. Local tradition identifies the Lima with the mythical Lethes, the "River of Forgetfulness", and says the Roman commander Décimo Júnio Bruto crossed first and called his soldiers by name to prove that the river had not erased his memory.
Igreja Matriz
The Igreja Matriz was largely rebuilt from the 15th century onwards, replacing an earlier medieval church. On the bell tower, a 1940 azulejo panel by Jorge Colaço depicts Ponte de Lima's acclamation of João IV after the restoration of Portuguese independence in 1640.
Dónde alojarse en Ponte de Lima
