Ponte Velha de São Pedro da Torre

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Old Bridge of São Pedro da Torre

Ponte Velha de São Pedro da Torre
Coordinates41°59′16″N 8°40′07″W / 41.987698°N 8.668594°W / 41.987698; -8.668594Coordinates: 41°59′16″N 8°40′07″W / 41.987698°N 8.668594°W / 41.987698; -8.668594
Locale Portugal, Valença, São Pedro da Torre
Official namePonte Velha de São Pedro da Torre
Heritage statusProperty of Public Interest
Imóvel de Interesse Público
Characteristics
MaterialGranite
History
Construction start13th century
Construction end14th century
Location

Ponte Velha de São Pedro da Torre is a bridge in the civil parish of São Pedro da Torre, municipality of Valença in the Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo.

History[]

During the Roman period, this area was part of the Lima to Minho axis, a roadway that connected Braga to the northwestern peninsula, and was a point of passage, if not terminal line (from conclusions of Ferreira de Almeida in 1987).[1][2] In the immediate vicinity, in the local of Chamosinhos, are vestiges of Romana structures, and specifically a millenarian marker.[1][2]

The bridge was re-constructed between the 13th and 14th century.[2][3] The double ramp, which was not entirely horizontal, had some interventions in order support the structure.[2][4] Although it maintained its semi-perfect Roman arch, the fact that the staves were "long and narrow" indicates that the bridge was reconstructed.[2][4] Medieval reforms during the time affected eastern territories, allowing more human migration and helping to support inter-regional commercial traffic, substantiating the idea that the bridge was reconstructed during the time.[2]

Meanwhile, other opinions point to its re-construction during the modern epoch.[1]

Architecture[]

The bridge is situated in an urban area, crossing the main river in the settlement of São Pedro da Torre, surrounded by a few buildings.[3] In the same settlement, almost 100 metres (330 ft) is another smaller bridge over the same river.[3]

The bridge maintains some of the characteristics attributable to the Roman period: which include the "Roman" arch and double ramp, its regular base and pavement, which is still largely Roman in nature, using large, homogeneous slabs and carefully placed.[2]

The platform is preceded by access ramps, and the platform constructed of Portuguese pavement forms a trestle that is almost imperceivable over a single arch.[3] Constructed of granite blocks/slabs, simple guardrails flank either side of the platform.[3] At the midpoint of the bridge is a socle with stone cross, where a wooden image of a crucified Christ is situated.[3]

See also[]

References[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b c Ferreira de Almeida (1987), p.165
  2. ^ a b c d e f g IGESPAR, ed. (2015), Ponte Velha (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: IGESPAR - Instituto Gestão do Patrimonio Arquitectónico e Arqueológico, retrieved 17 January 2016
  3. ^ a b c d e f Noé, Paula (1992), SIPA (ed.), Ponte Velha de São Pedro da Tore (IPA.00000448/PT011608120008) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 16 January 2016
  4. ^ a b Aníbal Soares Ribeiro (1998), p.194

Sources[]

  • Araújo, José Rosa de (1962), Caminhos Velhos e Pontes de Viana a Ponte de Lima (in Portuguese), Viana do Castelo, Portugal
  • Almeida, Carlos Alberto Ferreira de (1987), Alto Minho (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal
  • Rocha, J. Marques (1991), Valença (in Portuguese), Porto, Portugal
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