Granitic marker 20

Category: Civil Architecture > Marker

District: Viana do Castelo > Ponte da Barca > Lindoso > Parada

Location

Granite Landmark 20 is located in the locality of Lindoso, more specifically in Parada, in the municipality of Ponte da Barca, which belongs to the district of Viana do Castelo. This element is set within a predominantly rural and mountainous environment, characteristic of the Minho and Trás-os-Montes landscape. Its location offers an environment of remarkable tranquility and a deep immersion in the surrounding nature, serving as a point of interest that invites observation of the local orography and its relationship with the natural and built environment.

History and Purpose

Granite Landmark 20, like others of its type, was erected with the purpose of marking a territorial delimitation. Its presence suggests the historical importance of establishing and maintaining borders, whether they were administrative, parish, rural property boundaries, or ancient routes and paths. These landmarks were fundamental elements in the organization and management of the territory throughout the centuries, serving as physical testaments to agreements, divisions, and the evolution of human occupation of the landscape.

Materiality and Symbolism

Built of granite, an abundant material in the region, Granite Landmark 20 is a piece of remarkable robustness and durability, which naturally harmonizes with the surrounding landscape. The choice of granite not only reflects the local availability of this resource but also the intention to create a perennial element, capable of withstanding climatic conditions and the passage of centuries. The number '20' engraved on this landmark indicates that it is part of a series, suggesting the existence of a broader demarcation system that, in the past, would have had a specific purpose in cartography and the demarcation of important limits, conferring upon it symbolic value as a guardian of ancient borders and historical landmarks of the region.

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