Ponte de Lima is named after the bridge over the river Lima. It has been an important crossing since Roman times on the military road from Bracara Augusta (present-day Braga) to Asturica Augusta (present-day Astorga). It was the first Portuguese town to be granted a charter in 1125.
Legend has it that when the Roman legions first approached the river here, the soldiers refused to cross it because they believed it was the mythical River Lethes, the river of oblivion. It was only after one of their centurions crossed first and called each of them by name that they dared to enter the river.
What to see in Ponte de Lima
Torre da Cadeia Velha
The tower was once part of the city walls, and used to function as the city prison.
Ponte romana
The first bridge on the river Lima was built by the Romans. It was the only safe crossing over the Lima in its entire length, until the late Middle Ages, when it was rebuilt. However, five of the fourteen arches still remain from the original Roman bridge.
