Viana do Castelo, born from the will of D. Afonso III, bringing together the necessary conditions of security and legislation so that the inhabitants of this region who used to live in rustic and scattered villas could develop their maritime activities in an organized urban environment. In this video I show that nucleus that developed within the walls that have since disappeared, showing some of the most important places and monuments of that early era.
We continue the visit through Viana do Castelo, now through streets with urban manor houses, some from the 17th century, others from the 17th century, and some old monasteries. The Viana of the century. XVII is related to the cycle of Brazilian sugar that extends until 1660. Period of intense activity on the docks: establishment of foreign trade (families of Dutch, Flemish, French traders, are based in Viana). From Brazilian ports (Rio de Janeiro, Ilhéus, Pernambuco, Olinda and Recife) an appreciable volume of Brazilian sugar production comes, increasing the movement with ports in northern Europe (Rouen, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Hamburg, etc.). Between 1566-1660 about 25% of Brazilian production is transported by ships from Viana. Rua da Bandeira is one of the largest and oldest streets in Viana, it would be the old entrance to the city for anyone coming through Ponte de Lima. This street has several important old houses and manor houses. Espergueira Mendes is another important street in the west, full of history, which takes us to the Church of the old S. Domingos Monastery. There we can enjoy the excellent gilded carving from two periods: Main altarpiece from the first cycle of the century. XVIII, with an unusual imagery, and the altarpiece of Nª Srª do Rosário, a famous example of the gilt carving of the second half of the century. XVIII of André Soares' Bracarense school ". Forte da Barra was an important defensive system for controlling Barra do Lima, of privateers and enemies, we will observe its growth over the centuries. The Church of Nossa Senhora da Agonia is one of ex-Libris of the city since it joins a pilgrimage every year on August 20. And finally we went to Praia Norte, the Atlantic limit of Viana, its Fortim da Areosa and the start of the ecovia that takes us almost to Vila Praia de Âncora.
From the old convent of Santa Ana, by Benedictine Nuns (1510-1895). Primitive Gothic temple, it would have been enlarged and deeply remodeled between 1707-1737, so what we see today is a Baroque Joanine Church, with a tower with Manueline crown. T...
Former Campo do Forno, then Praça da Rainha and now Praça da República. New civic center of the city, after the century. XVI, that is, the functions of the old Praça Velha next to the Cathedral, moved to Campo do Forno. This former square was the ...
Fortress of Areosa, also referred to as Forte da Areosa, Forte da Vinha and Castelo Velho, but better known as Fortim da Areosa, is located in Rego de Fontes, south of Vinha inlet, in the village and parish of Areosa , in the municipality and dist...
The Capela das Almas, was the first Mother Church of Viana do Castelo (Church of S. Salvador das Almas) until 1433 before the city of Viana do Lima was walled with the consequent construction of the Cathedral in 1483. It was a Roman chapel until 1...
The best example of 16th century architecture in Portugal. Completed in 1589, by the master construction site João Lopes (son). Formed by three floors, on a covered balcony. On the main façade, the exuberant influence of ornaments inspired by Flem...
The Church of Misericordia of Viana do Castelo started in 1521 as a Hospital and Church. The church of the initial Misericordia would be of smaller dimensions, it was remodeled between 1713-1720 (Reign of D. João V) in Baroque style according to t...
Former Campo do Forno, then Praça da Rainha and now Praça da República. New civic center of the city, after the century. XVI, that is, the functions of the old Praça Velha next to the Cathedral, moved to Campo do Forno. This former square was the ...
The church and hospital of Misericordia of Viana do Castelo started in 1521 as a Hospital and Church. The church of the initial Misericordia would be of smaller dimensions, it was remodeled between 1713-1720 (Reign of D. João V) in Baroque style a...
The Temple-monument is one of the attractions of Viana do Castelo and the Estancia of Santa Luzia overlooking the city. Built at the beginning of the century. XX (open to worship on August 22, 1926, but only ended in 1943) a good model of eclectic...
The Capela das Almas, was the first Mother Church of Viana do Castelo (Church of S. Salvador das Almas) until 1433 before the city of Viana do Lima was walled with the consequent construction of the Cathedral in 1483. It was a Roman chapel until 1...
A representative example of Manueline art in the Lima Valley. It opens in two twin arches with a strung shaft, the interior of the chapel covered by an eight-ribbed vault radiating from a medallion. On the west wall, there is the sarcophagus of th...
Former chapel of the family of the Elders, who gave it at the beginning of the century. XVI to the "Men of the Sea" as the right to bury theirs in it (on the west wall some of the tombs with pointed arches can be seen today, including that of João...
Former Chapel of the Fagundes family, Count of Bertiandos. Tombs of João Alvares Fagundes and Cosme de Sousa, this in the archosolium common to the apse and the apse of the Gospel, with the coat of arms of Sousa de Arronches. Sculpture of the cruc...
It was until 1563 the chapel of Rocha de Meixedo. Imposing portico of granite carved in Renaissance-Mannerism, attributed to João Lopes (Father). Inside (ribbed ceiling included), exuberant gilded work derived from Roman Baroque, in the purest Joa...
