Category: Civil Architecture > Ensemble
District: Vila Real > Valpaços > Vale de Casas
This remarkable ensemble is serenely situated in the locality of Vale de Casas, within the municipality of Valpaços, in the district of Vila Real. Set in a rural landscape characteristic of Trás-os-Montes, marked by the tranquility of the fields and the presence of a watercourse that justifies the bridge's existence, the site offers a calm environment conducive to contemplation. Its location harmoniously integrates it into the local topography, serving as a testament to the community life and traditions that have shaped the region over the centuries.
At the heart of this ensemble, the bridge stands out as a notable structure. Built mainly of stone, with the robustness and simplicity characteristic of rural Portuguese crossing works, this bridge played a fundamental role in connecting and enabling the mobility of the populations. Its arches, which allow the water to flow through, are a testament to the construction expertise of the past, blending cohesively into the surrounding landscape.
Throughout its existence, it connected banks, allowed the passage of people, animals, and goods, being a pivotal point for local development and communication between communities.
Complementing the bridge's grandeur, the accompanying wayside shrines ("alminhas") are an element of profound cultural and religious symbolism. These small devotional structures, often adorned with painted panels or tiles depicting the souls in Purgatory, are manifestations of popular faith and the veneration of the dead, so deeply rooted in Portuguese traditions.
Erected in places of passage, such as bridges or crossroads, the wayside shrines invited passersby to pray and reflect on life and the memory of their ancestors, serving as a stopping point for pleas and offerings, enriching the site's intangible heritage.
The "Ensemble, Bridge of Valpaços and Wayside Shrines" represents more than the sum of its parts; it constitutes a living link to the history, daily practices, and beliefs of a community. The fusion of the bridge's functional and durable architecture with the popular sacred art and spiritual symbolism of the wayside shrines creates a place of unique beauty and meaning.
This ensemble is an invitation to discover the rural heritage of Valpaços, offering a window into the past and an opportunity to appreciate the richness of the traditions that remain alive in this corner of Trás-os-Montes.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.640272,-7.278061
Coordinates DMS: 41°38'25.0"N 07°16'41.0"W
Weather Vale de Casas
On-duty Pharmacy Vale de Casas
