Ponte de Lima is the oldest village in Portugal. It is located in the north of the country and it is around one and a half an hour from Porto city.
The village is called ponte de Lima, because the village was build around the bridge which gives you the abilty to cross the river Lima
Before the Name Ponte de Lima, Queen D. Teresa called the village “Terra de Ponte”. The bridge was actually build by the romans and it was destroyed over and over. It became the savest way to cross the river Lima after beeing renovated a several times and also the only way.
There is a legend about the Romans, they intending to extend their territory, sent a group of soldiers to Ponte de Lima, eventually disrupting the peace and monotony of this river born in a Galician mountain range. Thirsty for blood and war, the Roman people won battles, built roads, bridges, aqueducts, walls, temples for their gods, amphitheaters, and arenas. Everything has invaded! But one day, upon the shore of this river, the army of soldiers, surrendered and dazzled with such beauty and clarity, stopped and refused to cross it.
With some cunning they soon discovered that it would be the Lethes River, or the river of oblivion.
Legend has it that when someone who is not from the land crosses the river to the other side, he is bewitched to forget his homeland, his family and even his own name.
However, Décio Júnior Bruto, who at the time was the supreme chief, explained that those who did not cross the river would have the destination of prison and the gallows. Still, the soldiers would rather disobey their supreme boss than forget everything if they crossed that river.
As commander of men, Decius decides to cross, albeit slowly, through the witch waters. Having reached the beach on the right bank and one by one he said the name of each of his warriors. The spell was broken !!!!
The village is also a way from Braga or Barcelos to Santiago de Compostela and Lugo or better said it´s locaded in a very well visited place by the Pilgrims.
Also you can do many activities in Ponte de Lima, like e.g. exploring the village or ride the bike arround the village. It´s a really nice and calm village and definetly worth visiting.
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