It is located on Rua dos Milagres, Vila de Arcos de Valdevez, district of Viana do Castelo, North region and sub-region of Alto Minho, being the seat of the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez
History of the Ponte dos Arcos or Ponte Centenária dos Arcos
The bridge that crosses the river Vez joins the two sides of the town and belongs to a recent period of history but is a use of another bridge that dates back to the Romanesque period.
The Ponte dos Arcos located in the same location as the current one, the toponyms from 1258 referred to an arch or arches, attributing a determining role in the development of the place during the Middle Ages and which also contributed to the name of the town.
The bridge is built in granite formed by four round arches and with a straight deck with a guard also in granite.
The Ponte dos Arcos located in the same location as the current one, the toponyms from 1258 referred to an arch or arches, attributing a determining role in the development of the place during the Middle Ages and which also contributed to the name of the town.
The bridge is built in granite formed by four round arches and with a straight deck with a guard also in granite.
Characteristics of the Ponte dos Arcos or Ponte Centenária dos Arcos
The current bridge that connects the two banks of the town of Arcos de Valdevez is a 19th century construction begun in 1876 and completed in 1880 that completely replaced an example of medieval origin.
The traditional bridge was completed in 1880 and took advantage of another bridge that dates back to the Romanesque period.
The bridge was built in granite consisting of four round arches, a straight deck with a granite guard and was the ancient bridge essential for the existence of the local fair that was the basis of the historical and economic development of Arcos de Valdevez.
Knowledge of its original structure is based on a scarce bibliography and some engravings.
The monument was made up of four round arches supported on strong pegs and with carvings, two access ramps that rose from the banks to a flat level.
Its existence was almost certain, as is characteristic of known examples of medieval bridges, but no acronyms are mentioned in any of the construction elements.
The entire structure is markedly Romanesque and the period of its construction will be located somewhere between the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century, since in the Inquiries of 1258 the toponym Arcos appears already referenced.
The existence of the bridge and the local fair from the 15th century was considered an important road network that contributed to the development of the village of Arcos through the entry of food, clothing, drinks and the sale of livestock.
On this bridge, the traditional lamps have been replaced for years by spotlights embedded in the bridge's trimmings and now the traditional parallel roadway has been replaced by granite slabs.
The traditional bridge was completed in 1880 and took advantage of another bridge that dates back to the Romanesque period.
The bridge was built in granite consisting of four round arches, a straight deck with a granite guard and was the ancient bridge essential for the existence of the local fair that was the basis of the historical and economic development of Arcos de Valdevez.
Knowledge of its original structure is based on a scarce bibliography and some engravings.
The monument was made up of four round arches supported on strong pegs and with carvings, two access ramps that rose from the banks to a flat level.
Its existence was almost certain, as is characteristic of known examples of medieval bridges, but no acronyms are mentioned in any of the construction elements.
The entire structure is markedly Romanesque and the period of its construction will be located somewhere between the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century, since in the Inquiries of 1258 the toponym Arcos appears already referenced.
The existence of the bridge and the local fair from the 15th century was considered an important road network that contributed to the development of the village of Arcos through the entry of food, clothing, drinks and the sale of livestock.
On this bridge, the traditional lamps have been replaced for years by spotlights embedded in the bridge's trimmings and now the traditional parallel roadway has been replaced by granite slabs.
