Ponte de Lima#Parishes

{{commons|Ponte de Lima}}The area of Ponte de Lima has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence of settlements dating back over 3,000 years. During the Iron Age, numerous castros (hillforts) were established across the modern municipality, with larger examples located at Monte das Santas (now Santa Maria Madalena) near the town center and Monte de Santo Ovídio on the opposite bank of the Lima River.{{Cite web |title=História e histórias |trans-title=History and stories |url=https://www.visitepontedelima.pt/pt/ponte-de-lima/historia-e-historias/ |access-date=21 November 2024 |website=Visite Ponte de Lima}}

During the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, Ponte de Lima gained prominence due to its location along the Via XIX of the Antonine Itinerary, connecting Braga to Santiago de Compostela, Lugo and Astorga. This road, which traversed the region from south to north, was later used during the medieval period and partially coincided with the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Roman infrastructure in the area included a stone bridge over the Lima River, along with two additional bridges in nearby parishes.

Ponte de Lima received its first foral (charter) on March 4, 1125, granted by Theresa, Countess of Portugal and her son, Afonso Henriques. The charter defined the territory, smaller than today's municipality, and provided protection for market participants. It also contains the earliest documented reference to a market in the area. This charter was confirmed by King Afonso II in 1217 and later revised by King Manuel I in 1511.

The Middle Ages marked a period of military significance for Ponte de Lima. Defensive structures, including walls, towers, and the bridge over the Lima River, were constructed. An inscription on the foundation of the Torre de Santo António in 1359 records the beginning of these fortifications under King Pedro I. By 1370, the town’s walls were completed. During the 1383–1385 interregnum, Ponte de Lima supported King John I of Portugal, overcoming local opposition from Lopo Gomes de Lira, who sided with Castile.

In the 15th century, the town transitioned from royal to noble governance. Leonel de Lima, was granted the hereditary title of Alcaide-Mor (chief magistrate) in recognition of his family's support for King John I. His contributions included the construction of the Convent of Santo António dos Capuchos and renovations to the Paço do Marquês. However, his tenure was controversial, with complaints about his conduct and that of his descendants. He was rumored to protect wrongdoers and was accused of unjustly imprisoning and mistreating people in the castle’s prison.File:Puente-lima.JPGIn the 16th century, King Manuel I ordered improvements to the town’s infrastructure, including paving the bridge, adding merlons, and establishing the town jail in one of the defensive towers. This period also saw the founding of the Misericórdia of Ponte de Lima, which provided social assistance, operating a hospital in the town square and managing the former leprosy hospital outside the walls, now the site of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Guia.

Urban development continued in the 17th century with the construction of notable structures such as the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, designed for prisoners to attend mass, and the Hospital of São João de Deus, built for soldiers injured during the Portuguese Restoration War. The Chafariz Nobre, a fountain for potable water, was also completed and later relocated to Largo de Camões in the 20th century.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the town’s medieval walls and towers fell into disuse and were dismantled, with the stone repurposed for new constructions. This period saw the emergence of Baroque manor houses, reflecting the liberal ideals of the era. Cultural institutions such as the Diogo Bernardes Theater and the Limarense Society, inaugurated in 1868, were established, enriching the town’s cultural life.

The administrative reforms of 1836 expanded the municipality's territory, but the local economy remained rooted in agriculture until well into the 20th century.

Ponte de Lima has a Mediterranean Climate

{{Weather box

|location = Ponte de Lima, 1980-1990 normals, 1981-2021 precipitation, altitude: {{convert|18|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|metric first = yes

|single line = Yes

|width = auto

|Jan high C = 14.4

|Feb high C = 15.3

|Mar high C = 17.7

|Apr high C = 18.5

|May high C = 21.1

|Jun high C = 25.0

|Jul high C = 28.0

|Aug high C = 28.5

|Sep high C = 27.5

|Oct high C = 22.1

|Nov high C = 17.7

|Dec high C = 15.2

|year high C =

|Jan mean C = 9.2

|Feb mean C = 10.3

|Mar mean C = 12.1

|Apr mean C = 13.3

|May mean C = 15.5

|Jun mean C = 19.2

|Jul mean C = 21.4

|Aug mean C = 21.5

|Sep mean C = 20.6

|Oct mean C = 16.4

|Nov mean C = 12.7

|Dec mean C = 10.3

|year mean C =

|Jan low C = 4.0

|Feb low C = 5.4

|Mar low C = 6.5

|Apr low C = 8.1

|May low C = 10.0

|Jun low C = 13.5

|Jul low C = 14.9

|Aug low C = 14.5

|Sep low C = 13.7

|Oct low C = 10.6

|Nov low C = 7.7

|Dec low C = 5.5

|year low C =

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 170.4

|Feb precipitation mm = 134.5

|Mar precipitation mm = 119.3

|Apr precipitation mm = 122.1

|May precipitation mm = 95.0

|Jun precipitation mm = 45.7

|Jul precipitation mm = 24.2

|Aug precipitation mm = 35.7

|Sep precipitation mm = 74.9

|Oct precipitation mm = 156.6

|Nov precipitation mm = 175.6

|Dec precipitation mm = 208.9

|year precipitation mm =

|source 1 = Portuguese Environment Agency{{cite web |title=Plano de Gestão da Região hidrográfica do Minho e Lima |url=https://apambiente.pt/sites/default/files/_SNIAMB_Agua/DRH/PlaneamentoOrdenamento/PGRH/2010-2015/PTRH1/PGRH_1_RH1_Parte2.pdf |publisher=APA |access-date=25 June 2021 |pages=103, 115, 119}}{{cite web |title=SNIRH > Dados de Base |url=https://snirh.apambiente.pt/snirh/_dadosbase/site/janela_relatorio.php?sites=920685610&pars=1436794570&tmin=01/05/1981&tmax=25/06/2021 |website=snirh.apambiente.pt |access-date=25 June 2021}}

}}

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 39 civil parishes (freguesias):{{cite web|title=Law nr. 11-A/2013, pages 552 96-98|url=http://dre.pt/pdf1sdip/2013/01/01901/0000200147.pdf |access-date=29 July 2014|author=Diário da República|author-link=Diário da República|language=pt|format=pdf}}

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}

• Anais
• Arca e Ponte de Lima
• Arcos
• Arcozelo
• Ardegão, Freixo e Mato
• Bárrio e Cepões
• Beiral do Lima
• Bertiandos
• Boalhosa
• Brandara
• Cabaços e Fojo Lobal
• Cabração e Moreira do Lima
• Calheiros
• Calvelo
• Correlhã
• Estorãos
• Facha
• Feitosa
• Fontão
• Fornelos e Queijada
• Friastelas
• Gandra
• Gemieira
• Gondufe
• Labruja
• Labrujó, Rendufe e Vilar do Monte
• Navió e Vitorino dos Piães
• Poiares
• Refóios do Lima
• Ribeira
• Sá
• Santa Comba
• Santa Cruz do Lima
• Santa Maria de Rebordões
• Seara
• Serdedelo
• Souto de Rebordões
• Vale do Neiva
• Vitorino das Donas

{{div col end}}

The Feiras Novas (New Fairs) are the municipal festivities of Ponte de Lima, established on May 5, 1826, by King Peter IV of Portugal, who authorized three days of annual fairs in honor of Nossa Senhora das Dores (Our Lady of Sorrows). Held during the second weekend of September, the event has grown steadily over time, attracting thousands of visitors annually. The Feiras Novas have contributed to preserving local heritage and have become a cornerstone of the town's identity.{{Cite thesis |last=Soares de Brito |first=Matilde Sofia |title=Feiras Novas em Ponte de Lima - Os limianos e a festa |date=January 2024 |access-date=21 November 2024 |degree=Master's |publisher=Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/148828891.pdf |pages=1 - 2}}

Every second Monday, Ponte de Lima holds one of the largest country markets in Portugal.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Today, Ponte de Lima is a significant stop on the Central Portuguese branch of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The attractive rural area surrounding the town has the largest concentration of baroque manors in Portugal (Aurora, Bertiandos, Brandara, Calheiros, and Pomarchão are among the best known); Some provide tourism accommodation. Ponte de Lima is also known in the region and all across Portugal for its red Vinho Verde wines and its sarrabulho rice.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

File:Fernando Pimenta ECH 2016.jpg

• António de Araújo e Azevedo (1754–1817) a statesman, author, amateur botanist and 1st Count of Barca.
• Francisco de Melo da Gama de Araújo e Azevedo (1773 – 1859) a field marshal of the Portuguese Army and governor of Diu in Portuguese India 1821 to 1840.
• Miguel Pereira Forjaz (1769–1827) a general, War Secretary in the Peninsular War and Count of Feira
• Francisco de São Luís (1766–1845) a Cardinal of the Catholic Church, the eighth Patriarch of Lisbon, 1840 to 1845.
• José Norton de Matos (1867–1955) a Portuguese general and politician.
• Fernando Pimenta (born 1989) a sprint canoeist, silver medallist at the 2012 Summer Olympics and bronze medallist at the 2020 Summer Olympics

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

• [http://www.cm-pontedelima.pt/ Municipality official website]

{{Municipalities of Viana do Castelo}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ponte De Lima Municipality}}

Category:Municipalities of Viana do Castelo District

Category:Towns in Portugal