The City of Viana do Castelo is a Portuguese city, capital of the district of Viana do Castelo, in the North region and integrated in the sub-region of Alto Minho, Portugal
The city of Viana do Castelo is the seat of the municipality of Viana do Castelo, with an area of 319.02 km 2 and 85,445 inhabitants (2011), which is subdivided into 27 parishes.
The municipality is limited to the north by the municipality of Caminha, to the east by Ponte de Lima, to the south by Barcelos and Esposende, and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean.
It was elevated to city status on January 20, 1848 and was simply called "Viana" (also referred to as "Viana da Foz do Lima" and "Viana do Minho"). In 1977 it was elevated to the seat of the Catholic diocese and belongs to the Portuguese Network of Healthy Cities.
Human occupation of the Viana region dates back to the Mesolithic, as witnessed by numerous archaeological finds (pre-Roman) on Monte de Santa Luzia.
The town of Viana received the Charter from Afonso III of Portugal on July 18, 1258 and was renamed Viana da Foz do Lima.
The prosperous maritime trade with northern Europe involved the export of wines, fruit and salt, and the import of cutlery, fabrics, tapestries and glass.
The commercial spirit of Viana reached such proportions that Queen Maria II of Portugal granted a charter to the extinct Commercial Association of Viana do Castelo in 1852.
The same sovereign, to reward the loyalty of the population of Viana, who did not surrender to the forces of the Count of Antas (1847), decided to elevate the town to the category of city with the name of Viana do Castelo (January 20, 1848).
The city that grew along the Lima River features Renaissance, Manueline, Baroque and Art Deco styles.
In the historic center of the city of Viana do Castelo, the following stand out: Praça da República, Fountain of Praça da República, the Cathedral of Viana do Castelo, Capela das Almas, Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Agonia (20 August – Festas da Srª d’Agonia), Museu do Traje, Museu de Artes Decorativas, Municipal Library of Viana do Castelo.
On the outskirts of the city are the Eiffel Bridge, the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia, the Gil Eannes Hospital Ship, the Port of Viana do Castelo, Citânia Santa Luzia and the Urban Ecological Park.
Visitors can discover the beauty of the beaches of Viana do Castelo: Praia do Cabedelo, Praia de Afife, Praia da Foz do Minho, Praia da Amorosa, Praia da Arda, Praia do Canto Marinho, Praia de Paçô, Praia de Carreço, Praia de Canto Marinho, Praia do Rodanho and Praia de Castelo de Neiva.
The municipality is limited to the north by the municipality of Caminha, to the east by Ponte de Lima, to the south by Barcelos and Esposende, and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean.
It was elevated to city status on January 20, 1848 and was simply called "Viana" (also referred to as "Viana da Foz do Lima" and "Viana do Minho"). In 1977 it was elevated to the seat of the Catholic diocese and belongs to the Portuguese Network of Healthy Cities.
Human occupation of the Viana region dates back to the Mesolithic, as witnessed by numerous archaeological finds (pre-Roman) on Monte de Santa Luzia.
The town of Viana received the Charter from Afonso III of Portugal on July 18, 1258 and was renamed Viana da Foz do Lima.
The prosperous maritime trade with northern Europe involved the export of wines, fruit and salt, and the import of cutlery, fabrics, tapestries and glass.
The commercial spirit of Viana reached such proportions that Queen Maria II of Portugal granted a charter to the extinct Commercial Association of Viana do Castelo in 1852.
The same sovereign, to reward the loyalty of the population of Viana, who did not surrender to the forces of the Count of Antas (1847), decided to elevate the town to the category of city with the name of Viana do Castelo (January 20, 1848).
The city that grew along the Lima River features Renaissance, Manueline, Baroque and Art Deco styles.
In the historic center of the city of Viana do Castelo, the following stand out: Praça da República, Fountain of Praça da República, the Cathedral of Viana do Castelo, Capela das Almas, Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Agonia (20 August – Festas da Srª d’Agonia), Museu do Traje, Museu de Artes Decorativas, Municipal Library of Viana do Castelo.
On the outskirts of the city are the Eiffel Bridge, the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia, the Gil Eannes Hospital Ship, the Port of Viana do Castelo, Citânia Santa Luzia and the Urban Ecological Park.
Visitors can discover the beauty of the beaches of Viana do Castelo: Praia do Cabedelo, Praia de Afife, Praia da Foz do Minho, Praia da Amorosa, Praia da Arda, Praia do Canto Marinho, Praia de Paçô, Praia de Carreço, Praia de Canto Marinho, Praia do Rodanho and Praia de Castelo de Neiva.
