Ponte de Lima

In the heart of the Lima River valley is the beautiful Ponte de Lima , the oldest town of Portugal.  

Queen Teresa granted him leasehold letter villa in 1125, due to its excellent strategic position at a ford the river Lima ordered to wall it , creating a medieval village defended by walls and nine towers , two of which are still preserved , and six gates by which it was acceded to the fortified area .

The bridge from which the town takes its name was always of great importance since around the Alto Minho was the only safe passage of the mighty river.

The original bridge was built during the Roman Empire, which is still a significant chunk is preserved on the right bank of the river, being the product of medieval artwork rest.

It is a remarkable piece of architecture seeing few bridges in the country that you can compare.

And thanks to the bridge. The place is also a must for pilgrims who came to worship the Compostela Santiago Apostol step.

In the eighteenth century urban expansion of the town so the destruction of the walls is undertaken in search of new opportunities to build occurs.