Another day and another trip through the north of Portugal.
Once again a rainy weather report threatened to spoil the ride, but it was under a gray sky over a windy day that we took the road towards the princess of Lima, also known as Viana do Castelo.
Starting at Avenida dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra, with a name that is a tribute to those who were in the 1st World War, it is one of the main avenues of Viana do Castelo that starts at the Train Station and ends at Praça da Liberdade, with almost 500m of extension, although it seems short, has a lot to see between shops with typical costumes, coffee shops, souvenir shops, etc.
Right next door we have the historic center, full of quiet, tight streets and old buildings with a maximum of 3 to 4 floors.
We turn left on Rua Conde Carreira and walk to the corner with Passeio das Mordomas da Romaria, where is the Casa dos Abreu Távora “dos Condes da Carreira”, considered one of the most beautiful stately mansions in Viana, with style doors and windows Manueline dating from the 19th century. XVII / XVIII and which has been the seat of Viana City Council since 1972.
Almost in front of the City Hall, there is the Convent of Sant'Ana and the Igreja da Caridade, dating from the 16th to the 20th century and continuing straight ahead we will find the Municipal Theater Sá de Miranda, a two-story building dating from the end of the 20th century XIX and considered the main cultural space of Viana.
But it is in "Square" Praça da República that we find ourselves in one of the main visiting points of Viana do Castelo, also known in ancient times as “Praça da Rainha” and since the 16th century it has been the civic center of the city
In this square there are several historical points for the city, such as the 16th Century Fountain, which was of fundamental importance for the people of the city, being for many centuries the point of supply of drinking water for the residents.
The important building of the Old Paços do Concelho, also dating from the 16th century and the Igreja da Misericórdia, an example of Renaissance and Mannerist architecture, with a Flemish and Italian influence, is also located in the Square.
The Viana Center has quite cut-out streets, and to reach the next destination of this walk, you need to "sew" through the historic center! But there is no reason to worry about getting lost!
The next stop is next to the Lima River passing through Praça da Liberdade, this being the most modern area of the city, where there are buildings like the Municipal Library, by Siza Vieira and the Cultural Center, planned by the architect Souto Moura.
Between these two modern buildings is the Monument built in honor of the 25th of April, and inaugurated on the 25th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution.
With 16 meters high and 7 meters wide, this monument represents a door to freedom, with a broken chain, reminding the end of the dictatorship in the country.
Looking at the Lima River, it is possible to see the Eiffel Bridge on one side, the work of the Eiffel House, inaugurated on June 30, 1878 to replace an old wooden passage that connected the two banks of the river, and looking to the other side we can see the Gil Eannes Hospital Ship which has since been transformed into a museum and Youth Hostel.
To seal this itinerary I share some random photos that portray some alleys in the city center and some facades by the river.
Of course, it would not be possible to end the day without visiting the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Santa Luzia located on the summit of Monte, but that record will be for a next post ☺
That´s all for today
See you soon
Thank you for watching :)
