Ponte de Lima: História, Lendas e Patrimônio de Uma Vila Ancestral

Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest villages in Portugal, has a rich history that dates back to Prehistory, with traces of human occupation more than 3000 years ago.  During the Iron Age, it was populated by castros, fortified villages that gave rise to several parishes in the municipality.  The village is also notable for the legendary episode of the river Limia, known as Lethes by the Romans, associated with the myth of oblivion.

 Ponte de Lima received a Charter in 1125 from Queen D. Teresa and D. Afonso Henriques, consolidating itself as an important commercial center thanks to its protected fair.  During the Middle Ages, it developed military characteristics, with the construction of walls, towers and the emblematic bridge over the Lima River.

 In the 15th century, the town ceased to be directly subordinate to the Crown, and the Alcaidaria passed to D. Leonel de Lima, a controversial figure but responsible for important buildings, such as the Convent of Santo António dos Capuchos and the Paço do Marquês.  The 16th century brought renovations to the bridge, the Prison, and the creation of the Misericórdia and the Hospital da Praça.

 In the 17th and 18th centuries, new buildings such as the Hospital de S. João de Deus and Chafariz Nobre stood out, while the town's urbanism adapted to liberal ideals in the 18th and 19th centuries.  During this period, baroque mansions, new schools, local periodicals and cultural spaces such as the Teatro Diogo Bernardes emerged.

 Despite modernization, the economy remained rooted in the primary sector until the 20th century.  Today, Ponte de Lima preserves ancestral uses and customs and continues to attract visitors interested in exploring its rich history and culture.