Pedrinha Bridge

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Vila Real > Vila Real > Andrães

Location

Located in the locality of Andrães, in the municipality of Vila Real, the Ponte Pedrinha is set in a predominantly rural environment. This setting, typical of the Trás-os-Montes region, offers a glimpse into the tranquility of the Minho interior, marked by serene contact with nature and local history.

The structure allows for the crossing of the small Ribeira de Tanha, integrating harmoniously into the landscape of fields and surrounding vegetation. Its appearance invites stillness and observation of its natural setting.

Historical Legacy

The Ponte Pedrinha is a construction with deep roots in time, dating back to the medieval period. Over the centuries, it played a fundamental role as a crossing point, integrating ancient communication routes that once served important regional connections.

Its presence is attested in historical documents as early as 1758, underscoring its lasting importance for the surrounding communities and its relevance in the road network of yesteryear.

Architectural Features

Built entirely of granite, the Ponte Pedrinha reveals a simple yet robust structure, a testament to the popular engineering of the past. Its most distinctive element is its single perfect arch, which allows for the crossing of the Ribeira de Tanha.

This small-sized bridge features a flat deck. It is notable that the structure no longer has parapets, a detail that emphasizes its age and its adaptation to time. Its simple design invites careful observation.

The Legend of the Pedrinha

The unique name "Ponte Pedrinha" (Little Stone Bridge) originates from a popular legend, which adds a touch of mystery to its history. Tradition has it that the bridge was built by the Moors, who, fearing discovery and death, worked only under the cover of night.

They are said to have built the work using only small stones. However, on the verge of completing the construction, they were forced to make a hasty escape, leaving the bridge incomplete, precisely missing "a little stone" for its perfection. This detail, of a missing stone, remained in the collective memory, giving rise to the name the bridge carries to this day, enriching the local popular imagination.

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