Ucanha Bridge

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Viseu > Tarouca > Ucanha > Ponte da Ucanha

Location

Ucanha Bridge stands over the serene waters of the Varosa River, in the heart of the small village of Ucanha, in the municipality of Tarouca. It is located in an area of remarkable tranquility, where old houses cluster around the riverbanks, lending the place a picturesque and welcoming atmosphere, typical of villages of yesteryear.

A Medieval Legacy

This remarkable monument is a bridge of medieval origins, probably dating back to the 14th or 15th centuries. Its construction replaced an earlier crossing, which is believed to have been of Roman affiliation. Ucanha Bridge played a fundamental role in its time, integrating an ancient route that connected Lamego to regions further east, such as the lands of Riba-Côa, functioning as an important crossing point and connection.

The Stone Sentinel

A distinctive feature of Ucanha Bridge is the fortified tower attached to it, erected on the right bank of the river. This tower was built in 1465 at the initiative of D. Fernando, then abbot of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Salzedas. Its function was clear: to mark the entrance to the monastery's domains, which encompassed vast lands in the region. It was also the place where travelers were required to pay a toll to cross the bridge, a practice that lasted until 1527, when Ucanha came under the direct purview of the king.

Architectural Features

Ucanha Bridge, with its integrated tower, constitutes a valuable example of Gothic civil architecture in Portugal. The robust and harmonious bridge arch, combined with the imposing tower, reveals a design that combines the functionality of a crossing and control point with the aesthetics of the era. Its structure, which remains well-preserved, offers a visual testimony to medieval constructive mastery and the strategic role it played in the territory.

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