Medieval Bridge of Lamas de Mouro

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Viana do Castelo > Melgaço > Lugar de Cima

Location

The Lamas de Mouro Bridge stands over the Mouro River, in the parish of Lamas de Mouro, belonging to the municipality of Melgaço. It is nestled in a serene natural landscape, where the river's course meanders between banks dominated by granite formations, typical of the region. It is a place that invites tranquil observation of the fluvial environment and the rural surroundings of Alto Minho.

Design and Engineering

Although known as the Medieval Bridge of Lamas de Mouro, this structure was built at the beginning of the 20th century, more precisely in 1918, but followed a traditional construction style that harmonizes with the landscape. It features a perfect arch, solidly set on granite foundations that naturally integrate into the riverbanks. The arch's masonry work reveals meticulous care, with regular voussoirs, and it is possible to detect, on the intrados, some marks that identify the stonemasons who participated in its construction. Its deck, which once served as a crossing, is paved with flagstone and protected by stone guardrails, lending it lasting robustness.

An Element in the Landscape

This bridge represents a testament to local engineering and its relationship with the territory. Its excellent state of preservation allows visitors to appreciate the quality of the materials and the meticulous craftsmanship that characterize the region's traditional constructions. More than a mere crossing, the Lamas de Mouro bridge stands as a point of interest that enhances the river's natural surroundings and the history of its construction, inviting a pause to contemplate the architectural legacy and the fluvial environment.

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