Smoke Bridge

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Viseu > Tabuaço > Távora e Pereiro > Ponte do Fumo

Location

The Ponte do Fumo (Smoke Bridge) is located in Távora e Pereiro, an area in the municipality of Tabuaço, in the region that inherited the bridge's own name. It stands over the Távora River, in a deep and isolated valley, just before the point where it joins the Quintã stream. The location offers a natural setting with significant landscape value, surrounded by native vegetation such as chestnut trees, oak trees, ash trees, and hazelnut trees, creating a tranquil environment immersed in the region's nature.

Ancient Heritage

This ancient bridge is a remarkable vestige of remote times, with its origins possibly dating back to the Roman period, functioning then as part of a secondary route. It was, however, during the Middle Ages that the Ponte do Fumo was rebuilt, consolidating its presence in local history. Around the year 1040, its existence was already documented, appearing referenced in important texts of the time, such as the charter granted by D. Fernando Magno to the town of Paredes da Beira. Throughout the centuries, it maintained its function as an essential crossing, connecting communities and facilitating transit over the Távora River.

Architecture and Materials

The Ponte do Fumo is a stone construction made of granite ashlar, characterized by a single semi-circular arch, not very pronounced. Its design reflects medieval engineering, with well-dressed stones forming a robust and self-supporting structure. The bridge deck is paved with granite slabs and, although the original guardrails are no longer preserved along its entire length, its grandeur is undeniable. Due to its placement on steep terrain, the bridge stands out for the significant height it reaches between the deck and the waterline, underscoring the mastery of its construction.

The Allure of the Legend

Beyond its history and architecture, the Ponte do Fumo is enveloped in an intriguing popular legend, that of the Moura da Ponte do Fumo. It is said that the bridge was erected by the Moors in just one night. Near the bridge, there is a rock formation known as Fraga da Moura, where it is said an enchanted Moura dwells, left behind during the Moors' flight, accompanied by her children. The legend describes her as a figure of unusual beauty from the waist up, but with a serpent's body from the waist down. It is said that her song echoes in the valley, but spotting her is a challenge, as the Moura hides from human presence. There is also a belief in a mysterious whirlpool in the Távora River, which, according to the stories, pulls anyone who dares to swim in that spot into its depths.

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