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City Edified Heritage

 

Our trajectory begins at the Liberdade Square, next to the Municipal Tourism Booth - Viana Welcomw Centre . Walk up the Combatentes da Grande Guerra Avenue, turn right on Picota Street and you’ve reached the República Square. Known as Forno Field during the Middle Ages and Rainha Square during the monarchy era, it continues to be the city’s civic and commercial centre. On this square, in addition to the Costume Museum , installed in a typical building of the “Estado Novo” architecture, a group of 16th century constructions can be found, such as the Sá Pinto Sotto Mayor House (next to the Caravela Pastry Shop), the 16th Century Fountain (MN, a João Lopes work, “The Old Man”, from 1559), old City Hall (MN), the Misericórdia (MN, its construction began in 1520 and was only concluded at the end of the century). Heading east, we find the Bandeira Street, which in ancient times connected to the road that lead to Ponte de Lima. The Misericórdia Church was built in the late 18th century and is considered a pioneer building in the transition to baroque. The interior’s tiles and golden carvings are striking. A beautiful sun dial rests on the church’s façade. On the Mordomas da Romaria Walkway you’ll find the Abreu Távora or Viscondes da Carreira House. MN, it is a 16th century construction, remodelled during the 18th century. Currently houses the City Hall. On the other side of the street is the Werneck House, IIP, edified during the 19th century, its gothic-like facade is noteworthy. Continuing to the right, you’ll see the Caridade Church, which once belonged to the old Sant’Ana Convent. The present building underwent many interventions, but the architectonic collection maintains the church’s baroque-style frontispiece. Sá de Miranda Municipal Theatre is the city’s oldest showroom. Built in the late 19th century, it maintains the original ceiling paintings and stage curtain. If you cross the 1.º de Maio Square and the Bandeira Street, you’ll come upon the Malheiras Chapel, dating back to the 18th century, it is one of the most beautiful examples of Portuguese rococo architecture. Almas Chapel, on the square with the same name, it is a beautiful 18th century building that has undergone many alterations maintaining archaeological structures of the early Viana Parish Church, from the 13th century, whose foundations rest on a pre-romanesque temple. Next to it is the S. Bento Church, from the 16th century. Close by is the Riverside Garden, with its Viana Statue, that was ordered built by the Count of Bobadela in 1774. At the end of the garden, the Viana Bridge which was built by Gustave Eiffel and inaugurated in the year 1878; it substituted an old wooden bridge and allowed the passage of a street and railroad. Heading towards the city’s centre, on S. Pedro Street, you’ll see the Costa Barros House, classified as IIP. Next is the Parish Church, Cathedral, a gothic structure built in the 15th century, with Galician influences and romanesque tradition, especially the façade. It is classified as IIP. Located on the Matriz Square, the João Velho or dos Arcos House, also classified as IIP, is one of the few existing examples of gothic civil architecture in Portugal. On the corner of the same Square and the Poço Street, the Miguel Vasconcelos or dos Lunas House, IIP.The Erva Square is a spot filled with great nightlife. The Old Hospital is located on this square; a 15th century construction that although was totally renovated during the 17th century, still preserves its 15th century door. This house used to shelter the pilgrims that travelled to Santiago de Compostela. Further south, at Viana Street, is the Casa do Nichos dating back to the 15th century, where the town`s Archaeological Museum was installed. Following the Manuel Espregueira Street you’ll reach S. Domingos Square, where you’ll find a church with the same name. MN, dates back to the late 16th century and is part of the S. Domingos Convent. Inside, the golden carved altars and the 1590 tomb of Friar Bartolomeu dos Mártires (the promoter of the convent’s construction) are remarkable. On the same square is the Decorative Arts Museum. Nearby is the N. Sra. d’Agonia Church, a rococo style temple, whose construction began in the 18th century and was prolonged well into the 19th century, it is the stage of one of the country’s main festivities: the N. Sra. d’Agonia Pilgrimage. Also close by is the Santiago da Barra Fort or Castle: IIP, its construction was initiated during the 15th century and endured amplifications and remodelling at the beginning of the Philippine rule. The main building houses the Regional Tourism Entity of the Porto and North of Portugal headquarters. We return to the starting point through the Ribeira, a fishermen area where the freshly caught fish can be enjoyed. Following the Góis Pinto and the Loureiro Streets, we arrive at the Amadeu Costa Square, one of the main figures of Minho’s ethnography. Right after comes the Vasco da Gama Square, where the Bingo from Viana is located, and the river Lima can once again be seen, near which this walk began.

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