Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo, Portugal — Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula)

Biblioteca Municipal - Antigo Hospital… / City Library - Former Hospital…

City Library - Former Hospital Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 4, 2023

1. City Library - Former Hospital Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Biblioteca Municipal - Antigo Hospital da Misericórdia
A composição arquitectónica da Biblioteca Municipal resulta da abertura da Rua Cardeal Saraiva no fim do primeiro quartel do séc. XX, que dividiu em dois o edifício do antigo Hospital da Misericórdia, (reconstrução concluída em 1731), destruindo-se assim um curioso claustro setecentista e uma parte da muralha medieval. Adossado a um troço da muralha, existe um acesso à adarve a partir da varanda alpendrada voltada ao Largo da Picota, encontrando-se no seu interior uma escadaria que conserva alguns elementos da original barroca.

Tal como o edifício da Igreja da Misericórdia, constituiu-se um novo alçado voltado à rua Cardeal Saraiva, com características arquitectónicas idênticas às restantes, patente nas fenestrações, cornijas e beirados. Em 1993 foram concluídas amplas obras de reforma geral para funcionamento dos serviços da Biblioteca Municipal.

City Library - Former Hospital da Misericórdia
The architectonic composition of the City Library derives from the opening of the Rua Cardeal Saraiva, in the late first quarter of the 20th century, which divided in two the building of the former

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Hospital da Misericórdia (the reconstruction was finished in 1731), thus having been destroyed an interesting cloister of the 17th century and a part of the medieval wall. Addorsed to a section of the wall, there is an access to the battlement from the porched balcony facing the Largo da Picota, and in its interior there is a flight of stairs, which still keeps some baroque features of the original one.

Similarly to the building of Igreja da Misericórdia, a new elevation facing Rua Cardeal Saraiva was built, with features identical to the remaining ones, such as the fenestrated structure, cornices and eaves.

In 1993 large global restoration works were undertaken to house the City Library services.

Erected by Câmara Municipal de Ponte de Lima, Valima.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1993.

Location. 41° 46.049′ N, 8° 35.084′ W. Marker is in Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo. Marker is on Rua da Picota, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Rua da Picota 11, Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo 4990, Portugal. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vaca das Cordas / Bull of the Ropes (a few steps from this marker); Torre da Cadeia Velha / “Old Chain Tower” (within shouting distance of this marker); Bombeiros Voluntários / Volunteer Firefighters

City Library - Former Hospital… Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 4, 2023

2. City Library - Former Hospital… Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here just past the library entrance, on the right. The marker may be difficult to see at times because it was placed in the narrowest part of the passage between the restaurant and library.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Igreja Matriz / Parish Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Torre de São Paulo e Troço Da Muralha / St. Paul Tower and Wall Section (within shouting distance of this marker); Cardeal / Cardinal Saraiva (within shouting distance of this marker); Ponte Sobre O Rio Lima / Bridge Over the River Lima (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Chafariz / Fountain (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ponte de Lima.

City Library - looking south image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 4, 2023

3. City Library - looking south

City Library building - looking north, taken from city wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 4, 2023

4. City Library building - looking north, taken from city wall

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 41 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 8, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.