Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo, Portugal — Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula)
Largo de Camões / Camões Square
Largo de Camões
No actual espaço do Largo de Camões, a cerca muralhada separava o extenso areal ribeirinho de um interior onde coabitavam espaços verdes, casas e quintais, que estavam a Norte balizadas pela Rua da Ponte na qual entroncava a Rua do Rosário e a Sul pela Rua da Ribeira, hoje chamada do Postigo que desembocava no Passeio 25 de Abril, bem ao lado da Torre de S. Paulo ou da Expectação.
Na segunda metade do séc. XIX, com a demolição da muralha e da Torre dos Grilos que se encontrava à boca da ponte, o espaço do futuro Largo de Camões ganhou uma outra dimensão. Os quintais que tinham como baliza a parede da muralha passavam a ficar devassados e as casas que nela entestavam foram obrigadas a encontrar um novo apoio ou a reorganizar as suas estrutura? e fachadas. O chão foi aplanado e ensaibrado de modo a tornar-se no primeiro pavimento de um espaço público.
Pouco depois da cheia de 1909 o Largo foi objecto de um novo alteamento, que se traduziu em novo piso de saibro sobreposto a uma espessa camada de entulhamento. A actual fisionomia do Largo de Camões começou a ser delineada no final dos anos 20 do séc. XX, altura em que se iniciaram extensas obras, alteando-o parcialmente e nivelando-o de forma a ter melhor ligação ao Largo da Feira (surgido na altura) e Passeio 25 de Abril, atulhando-se dois arcos da ponte medieval, implantando-se aí o chafariz renascentista e "desenhando-se" novo pavimento.
O curioso poco do séc. XV de secção rectangular, com cerca de 3 metros de profundidade, totalmente forrado com boa silharia e que rematava em abóbada, integrava-se numa importente construção que aí existia, denominada Casa do Patim e onde Gonçalo Pires Cerqueira terá recebido El Rei D. Manuel I quando peregrinou a Santiago de Compostela.
During the second half of the 19th century, with the demolition of the stoned wall and of the Torre dos Grilos (located at the bridge's opening), the future Largo de Camões gained a new dimension. The small farms, which were bounded by the wall, became wide open and the houses that were held up by this structure were forced to find a new support or to reorganise their structures and façades. The floor was levelled and gravelled, making it the first paved public space. Soon after the 1909's floods, the Largo was, once more, heightened - a thick layer of debris topped with gravel was placed.
The current aspect started being outlined by the end of the 1920's, when extensive work was carried out: the pavement was heightened and levelled in order to ease the connection with the Largo da Feira (then created) and the Passeio 25 de Abril, two bridge's arches were obstructed, the Renaissance fountain was placed and the new pavement began being "drawn".
The rectangular odd looking well from the 15th century, with a depth of 3 meters, totally lined with good quality ashlars and ending in a vault, integrated the former Casa do Pafim (an imposing construction that used to exist) and where Gonçalo Pires Cerqueira is said to have King Manuel I as a guest as the monarch went on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Erected by Câmara Municipal de Ponte de Lima, Valima.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 41° 46.132′ N, 8° 35.055′ W. Marker is in Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo. Marker is on Largo de Camões. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Largo de Camões 9, 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. Chafariz / Fountain (a few steps from this marker); Ponte Sobre O Rio Lima / Bridge Over the River Lima (a few steps from this marker); Torre de São Paulo e Troço Da Muralha / St. Paul Tower and Wall Section (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Igreja Matriz / Parish Church (about 120 meters away); Vaca das Cordas / Bull of the Ropes (about 150 meters away); Capela das Pereiras / Pereiras Chapel (about 150 meters away); Biblioteca Municipal - Antigo Hospital… / City Library - Former Hospital… (about 150 meters away); Bombeiros Voluntários / Volunteer Firefighters (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ponte de Lima.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 58 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 9, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.