Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo, born from the will of D. Afonso III, bringing together the necessary conditions of security and legislation so that the inhabitants of this region who used to live in rustic and scattered villas could develop their maritime activities in an organized urban environment. In this video I show that nucleus that developed within the walls that have since disappeared, showing some of the most important places and monuments of that early era. We continue the visit through Viana do Castelo, now through streets with urban manor houses, some from the 17th century, others from the 17th century, and some old monasteries. The Viana of the century. XVII is related to the cycle of Brazilian sugar that extends until 1660. Period of intense activity on the docks: establishment of foreign trade (families of Dutch, Flemish, French traders, are based in Viana). From Brazilian ports (Rio de Janeiro, Ilhéus, Pernambuco, Olinda and Recife) an appreciable volume of Brazilian sugar production comes, increasing the movement with ports in northern Europe (Rouen, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Hamburg, etc.). Between 1566-1660 about 25% of Brazilian production is transported by ships from Viana. Rua da Bandeira is one of the largest and oldest streets in Viana, it would be the old entrance to the city for anyone coming through Ponte de Lima. This street has several important old houses and manor houses. Espergueira Mendes is another important street in the west, full of history, which takes us to the Church of the old S. Domingos Monastery. There we can enjoy the excellent gilded carving from two periods: Main altarpiece from the first cycle of the century. XVIII, with an unusual imagery, and the altarpiece of Nª Srª do Rosário, a famous example of the gilt carving of the second half of the century. XVIII of André Soares' Bracarense school ". Forte da Barra was an important defensive system for controlling Barra do Lima, of privateers and enemies, we will observe its growth over the centuries. The Church of Nossa Senhora da Agonia is one of ex-Libris of the city since it joins a pilgrimage every year on August 20. And finally we went to Praia Norte, the Atlantic limit of Viana, its Fortim da Areosa and the start of the ecovia that takes us almost to Vila Praia de Âncora.

The Fortim da Areosa, also referred to as Forte da Areosa, Forte da Vinha and Castelo Velho, but better known as Fortim da Areosa, is located in Rego de Fontes, south of Vinha inlet, in the village and parish of Areosa , in the municipality and di...
Windmills were very frequent on the coast, where the intensity of offshore winds provided an excellent driving force for milling cereals. The sails could be positioned to better capture the energy of the wind, rotating the roof itself together wit...
Rock engravings. In the place of Carreço we have to name the slab of the spear or, as it was also known, the "threshing floor of the poor". In the place of Paçô we can find Laje da Churra, whose wealth is only now beginning to be recognized in all...
The beach of the marine corner is geologically based on the so-called “formation of Valongo”, composed lithologically by mica- schists, from the Paleozoic era, framed in the period of the Ordovícico that dates from between 478 and 458 million year...
Rock engravings. In the place of Carreço we have to name the slab of the spear or, as it was also known, the "threshing floor of the poor". In the place of Paçô we can find Laje da Churra, whose wealth is only now beginning to be recognized in all...
Rock engravings. In the place of Carreço we have to name the slab of the spear or, as it was also known, the "threshing floor of the poor". In the place of Paçô we can find Laje da Churra, whose wealth is only now beginning to be recognized in all...
The Citânia de Santa Luzia, known locally as "old city", is one of the best known castros in the North of Portugal and, undoubtedly, one of the most important for the study of Proto-History and the Romanization of Alto Minho. Its strategic locatio...
Polygonal and basalt construction, repeatedly enlarged and restored. The primitive sector corresponds to the tower, built by D. Manuel in 1502, which can be seen today at the SO angle of the fortress. However, the work proved to be insufficient in...
The Cathedral of Viana, was built by D. João I around 1400, after the completion of the Fernandina walls (1258-1374). It is due to the fact that the old Matriz (S.Salvador do Adro, today Capela das Almas) was outside the walls. The chosen place wa...
In this part of the Polis project we have 3 building blocks, The Municipal Library designed by Architect Alvaro Siza Vieira, in the center the Administrative buildings of Architect Fernando Távora, and on the right the Pavilion Multiusos of Archit...
Riverfront, integrated in the Polis para Viana project, which developed between the historic center and the Lima River. The Strategic Plan of the Polis Program envisaged the construction of Public Buildings (Administrative Services, Library, Multi...
Building built between 1878 and 1882, under the design of Engº Alfredo Soares, then equipped with an elegant access staircase. The masonry remains ennobled in the finish by a shield with a royal crown, as well as some accessory elements (gare and ...
The Temple-monument is one of the attractions of Viana do Castelo and the Estancia of Santa Luzia overlooking the city. Built at the beginning of the century. XX (open to worship on August 22, 1926, but only ended in 1943) a good model of eclectic...
Viana do Castelo, the place where, in 1258, D. Afonso III established the village that was called Adro. The monarch appointed him Viana, which would already be his previous name; D. Dinis called it Viana de Riba do Minho; D. Afonso V identified he...