Ponte de Lima (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpõtɨ ðɨ ˈlimɐ] ) is the oldest vila (chartered town, head of a municipality) in Portugal. It is part of the district of Viana do Castelo. The population in 2011 was 43,498,[1] in an area of 320.25 km2.[2] The town proper has about 2,800 inhabitants.
It is named after the long medieval bridge (ponte) that passes over the Lima river that runs next to the town.
The current Mayor is Victor Mendes, elected by the People's Party (CDS–PP). It is one of the six municipalities in Portugal administered by this party. The municipal holiday is 20 September.
Ponte de Lima is located on the southern bank of the Lima, a small river with sources in Spain.
One of the oldest towns in Portugal (founded on 4 March 1125),[3] it was historically significant as a Roman settlement on the road from Braga to Santiago de Compostela and Lugo, and the first place in Portugal getting a municipal charter. Today, it is a significant stop on the Central Portuguese branch of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
Every second Monday, it holds one of the largest country markets in Portugal. In the second weekend of September, Ponte de Lima hold the Feiras Novas (the new fairs) for three days since 1826, granted by the Royal Provision of king Peter IV of Portugal.
The attractive rural area surrounding the town has the largest concentration of baroque manors in Portugal (Aurora, Bertiandos, Brandara, Calheiros, and Pomarchão are among the best known); Some provide tourism accommodation. Ponte de Lima is also known in the region and all across Portugal for its red Vinho Verde wines and its sarrabulho rice.
Ponte de Lima has a Mediterranean Climate
Administratively, the municipality is divided into 39 civil parishes (freguesias):[6]
