Town Bridge

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Viana do Castelo > Arcos de Valdevez > Faquelo > São Paio e Giela

Location

Ponte da Vila (Village Bridge) is located in the village of Faquelo, in the union of parishes of São Paio and Giela, municipality of Arcos de Valdevez. This structure connects the lower banks of the Vez River, being integrated into an urban environment, yet surrounded by a green area that provides a serene setting.

A Historical Legacy

The history of Ponte da Vila dates back centuries. Although the structure we cross today is a 19th-century construction, built between 1876 and 1880, it replaced an earlier bridge of medieval origin. It is believed that the primitive crossing, with markedly Romanesque characteristics, already existed between the late 12th and early 13th centuries, being mentioned in the Inquirições (Inquiries) of 1258. Its presence was fundamental for the historical, economic, and social development of the town of Arcos de Valdevez, facilitating circulation and trade in the region.

Architectural Details

Built predominantly with granite ashlar masonry, Ponte da Vila features a flat deck resting on four segmental arches. Its facings are composed of granite ashlar blocks arranged in regular courses, lending it remarkable solidity. The bridge is supported by five robust piers, which include cutwaters and semi-circular trailing ends, designed to deflect the force of the water. The three central piers are further adorned with upper arched openings, giving it a distinctive appearance.

The deck's pavement is cobbled with granite cubes, and the railings are formed by solid blocks of the same material. On the right bank, a commemorative plaque with the date 1880 can be observed, marking the completion of its construction. At the bridge's ends, structural recesses invite a pause, housing stone benches that offer a place to contemplate the surrounding landscape of the Vez River.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt