Ponte da Lima, Northern Portugal

The history and popularity of Ponte da Lima in Northern Portugal is richly intertwined with the deep flowing waters of the Rio Lima (River Lima) on the banks of which the town is situated.

Ponte da Lima aptly took it's name from the Roman bridge which spans the wide, deep waters of the Rio Lima. And, it was the bridge which brought wealth to the town. The bridge was hugely important in medieval times as it was the only one spanning the Rio Lima, providing Pilgrims

on the trail of Santiago de Compostela, a safe crossing point. Merchants keen to profit from this passing trade moved into Ponte da Lima, which gained it's royal charter in 1125 by Dona Teresa mother of Portugal's first king. The merchants and the town prospered and grand villas, warehouses and monuments were erected, some of which it is still possible to see today including the former, fortified jail house which looks out over the Rio Lima.

The Torre da Cadeia Velha, sometimes referred to as the Porta Nova (New Gate) was constructed under the orders of Dom Manuel in the early 15th century when the town was walled to protect it from attack. The tower was up until the latter part of the 20th century still used as a jail, though has been extensively restored. Ponte da Lima's tourist information office house the ground floor of the tower with the remainder providing space for temporary exhibitions and an unusual venue for conferences.

Ponte da Lima is an elegant, if not large, town and it's praças (squares) are littered with impressive bronze monuments denoting key stages and people in it's history. There are the usual statues to important figures including Dom Teresa, though equally the common folk are immortalised in huge, life-sized tableaux.

The historic centre of Ponte da Lima, also known as the Garden Capital of Portugal, is a picture perfect set of stone flagged and cobbled streets lined with immaculately maintained two and three storey town houses, most with detailed wrought iron balconies spilling over with brightly-coloured flowers.

Elegant Streets

Although pilgrims are not as common a sight crossing the bridge today, which is only accessible now to pedestrians, travellers in their thousands still flock to Ponte da Lima every year. Some visitors to Ponte da Lima are keen to soak up the tranquil atmosphere the town exudes, others are keen be part of the judging panel at the hugely popular International Garden Festival held from May through until October each year.

The International Garden Festival is held on the banks of the Rio Lima and proposals are received from all around the world. Ultimately only 11 gardens, designed to visualise a specific theme, are selected to take part. Once the selection has taken place by the festival board the gardens are then painstakingly created and can take months to perfect. The gardens are open to the public on a daily basis and visitors can, by secret ballot, vote for their favourite three gardens.

This year's festival (2011) opens on 27th May through until 30th October has the theme 'A Forest in the Garden (Floresta no Jardim).

Taking a trip to Ponte da Lima at any time of the year will be pleasurable. However, if you want to see the town in full festival flow booking accommodation at one of the many historic manor houses in the area to coincide with the religious festival of Corpus Christi is a good idea.

Every year residents of Ponte da Lima carry out an unusual 'bull run' around the town, the Vacas das Cordas. Although the exact origins of the event, which takes places on the afternoon before Corpus Christi, are lost within the annals of time, it is believed to be a pagan ritual.

The bull, tied to the iron grille of the bell tower window, is led, traditionally by millers, around the bell tower three times, before it is paraded through the streets of Ponte da Lima and into the Largo de Camões with great fanfare and festivities. The bull is then led down to the sandy banks of the Rio Lima where townsfolk and visitors celebrate in traditional Portuguese style with drinks, lots of food and dancing.

Although a relatively small town Ponte da Lima has a wealth of establishments offering accommodation, but what better way to experience the elegance the town is famous for, then by renting one of the area's historic manor houses, known as Solares?

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Ponte da Lima and relax in one of these opulent homes, some of which were part of great landed estates producing some of the area's finest Vinho Verde (Green Wine).

Most of these manor houses are situated a short drive from the town so hiring a car is a necessity if you decide to reside in style. However Ponte da Lima also has a range of accommodation in the town itself with hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts all within walking distance of the historic centre and it's array of cafes and restaurants, most with views over the Rio Lima.

Getting to Ponte da Lima couldn't be easier with good access roads from both Viana do Castelo 22 kilometres to the west along the electronic toll A27 or national 202 road and from Porto 68 kilometres to the south via the A3 toll road or national 201 route.

Unfortunately Ponte da Lima does not have a train station, though if you do wish to visit the town and don't wish to drive you can do so by bus from Viana do Castelo and Porto, which is also the location of the closest international airport to the town.