Bridge of Vilela

Constructed in granite masonry, the Bridge of Vilela comprises four perfectly round arches.

The arches are supported by three pillars, reinforced with triangular cut-waters and square piers. The spans of the two lateral arches are currently shoaled.

The tray, paved with granite tile, is horizontal over the central arches and forms a ramp at the top.

This Bridge is difficult to date, as its technical and built features may be linked to medieval needs to improve the road network inherited from the Roman period.

This need was associated with the growth of road circulation in the territory, allowing the crossing of the River Sousa.

The Bridge of Vilela marks an important passage point, which, according to the Memórias Paroquiais [Parish Memorandum] of 1758, was used, for example, by those travelling from the coast to Amarante and Vila Real.

Type: Bridge

Route: Sousa Valley

1998 - The Bridge of Vilela is included in the Route of the Romanesque of Vale do Sousa (RRVS);

2004 - Conservation works in the building and its surroundings, carried out by the DGEMN, within the scope of RRVS;

2008 - Repair works in the Bridge of Vilela, within the scope of RRVS;

2011 - Works for the general conservation of the Bridge, under the scope of the Route of the Romanesque.

Free

Monument fully or partly accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

+351 255 810 706

+351 918 116 488

visitasrr@valsousa.pt

How to get here:

41.269042, -8.248159

Avenida da Ponte de Vilela, Aveleda, Lousada, Porto

By Train
Douro Railroad (Porto-Marco Urban Trains or Porto-Régua/Pocinho Regional Trains), with exits at Meinedo station (3.0 km from Bridge of Vilela). Check here for all the schedules and price table.

By Car

Northern Portugal: A28/A3/A7/A24/A4 » A11 (Felgueiras) » Caíde » Rota do Românico/Ponte de Vilela.

Porto: A3 (Valença) » A41 CREP (Paços de Ferreira) » A11 (Felgueiras) » Caíde » Rota do Românico/Ponte de Vilela.

Central/Southern Portugal: A1 (Porto)/ A29 (V.N. Gaia) » A41 CREP » A42 (Felgueiras) » A11 (Felgueiras) » Caíde » Rota do Românico/Ponte de Vilela.

Lousada » Rota do Românico/Ponte de Vilela.

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