It is located on Rua da Picota, Vila de Ponte de Lima, district of Viana do Castelo, Northern Portugal
History of the Municipal Library
Although the date of foundation of the Municipal Library of Ponte de Lima is not known precisely, it is accepted that it began during the 1st Republic.
The architectural composition of the Municipal Library results from the opening of Rua Cardeal Saraiva at the end of the 1st quarter of the century. XX that divided the building of the old Hospital da Misericórdia in two, thus destroying a curious 17th century cloister and a bit of the medieval wall.
Attached to a section of the wall there is access to the wall from the porched balcony facing Largo da Picota, with a staircase with baroque characteristics inside.
The documentary fund of the Municipal Library initially located in a room in a building in the center of the town in Largo Camões was made up of the collection that then existed at the Liceu Municipal de Ponte de Lima.
In 1965, it was moved to a new space called "Women's Prison".
The Municipal Library's documentary collection increased thanks to donations made by illustrious families from Ponte de Lima and the space no longer had the necessary conditions for proper functioning.
The situation generated a natural lack of motivation on the part of potential readers and led to almost zero attendance.
In the 1980s, the City Council sought to solve the library's problems by initiating the first contacts with the responsible entities, scheduling visits to the site with the aim of investigating existing flaws and finding solutions.
The physical installation of the future library in a building of historical and heritage value where the Santa Casa da Misericórdia Hospital operated and later the GNR barracks.
The Library is a 17th century construction with two floors and uses the roof against the soffit of the wall and on the corner of Picota and Cardeal Saraiva streets.
The building has a single body that was cut down at the beginning of the 20th century, destroying a curious 17th century cloister and part of the medieval wall.
After several steps, the library's implementation project was approved by the competent authorities in May 1988.
The project was completed in September 1992, with the installation of equipment and the acquisition of documentary resources.
The official opening took place on September 19, 1993, in a ceremony presided over by the Prime Minister, Professor Doctor Aníbal Cavaco Silva.
Thus, the Municipal Public Library was born, leaning against a section of the wall with access to the wall from the porch facing Largo da Picota, which is punctuated by a granite statuette representing a stonemason called Maria da Fonte.
The interior of the library is also enriched by a monumental granite staircase with baroque characteristics.
Currently, the Municipal Library continues its activity in this building aiming to satisfy the needs of residents in information, culture, education and leisure.
The architectural composition of the Municipal Library results from the opening of Rua Cardeal Saraiva at the end of the 1st quarter of the century. XX that divided the building of the old Hospital da Misericórdia in two, thus destroying a curious 17th century cloister and a bit of the medieval wall.
Attached to a section of the wall there is access to the wall from the porched balcony facing Largo da Picota, with a staircase with baroque characteristics inside.
The documentary fund of the Municipal Library initially located in a room in a building in the center of the town in Largo Camões was made up of the collection that then existed at the Liceu Municipal de Ponte de Lima.
In 1965, it was moved to a new space called "Women's Prison".
The Municipal Library's documentary collection increased thanks to donations made by illustrious families from Ponte de Lima and the space no longer had the necessary conditions for proper functioning.
The situation generated a natural lack of motivation on the part of potential readers and led to almost zero attendance.
In the 1980s, the City Council sought to solve the library's problems by initiating the first contacts with the responsible entities, scheduling visits to the site with the aim of investigating existing flaws and finding solutions.
The physical installation of the future library in a building of historical and heritage value where the Santa Casa da Misericórdia Hospital operated and later the GNR barracks.
The Library is a 17th century construction with two floors and uses the roof against the soffit of the wall and on the corner of Picota and Cardeal Saraiva streets.
The building has a single body that was cut down at the beginning of the 20th century, destroying a curious 17th century cloister and part of the medieval wall.
After several steps, the library's implementation project was approved by the competent authorities in May 1988.
The project was completed in September 1992, with the installation of equipment and the acquisition of documentary resources.
The official opening took place on September 19, 1993, in a ceremony presided over by the Prime Minister, Professor Doctor Aníbal Cavaco Silva.
Thus, the Municipal Public Library was born, leaning against a section of the wall with access to the wall from the porch facing Largo da Picota, which is punctuated by a granite statuette representing a stonemason called Maria da Fonte.
The interior of the library is also enriched by a monumental granite staircase with baroque characteristics.
Currently, the Municipal Library continues its activity in this building aiming to satisfy the needs of residents in information, culture, education and leisure.
