The best cycling routes around Alvora

The pillory of Ponte da Barca, originally erected in Largo da Misericórdia after the granting of the "Foral Novo" in 1513 by D. Manuel I, the monument was later moved to its current location, in the Pombaline Market square, next to the Garden of the Poets. 👍🥾

Fantastic area for cycling or walking

Barbeita Bridge - Mouro River - Monção - Portugal The bridge over the Mouro River is located in Ponte de Mouro, connecting Barbeita to Ceivães over the Mouro River, in Monção. It is known that a bridge existed at this location at least as early as 1386. It was here that, in that year, the historic meeting between King John I and the Duke of Lancaster, pretender to the throne of Castile, took place. The marriage of the Portuguese king to Philippa of Lancaster, the duke's daughter, was also arranged. The old bridge visible today underwent renovations in 1627.

Old bridges are magical!

It is the seat of the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, with a total area of 447.60 km2, 20,718 inhabitants in 2021 and a population density of 46 inhabitants per km2, subdivided into 36 parishes. The municipality is bordered to the north by the municipality of Monção, to the northeast by Melgaço, to the east by the Spanish region of Galicia, to the south by Ponte da Barca, to the southwest and west by Ponte de Lima and to the west by Paredes de Coura. The so-called Tournament of Arcos de Valdevez, also known as the "Recontro de Valdevez", was an important and decisive episode in the History of Portugal linked to the early days of the nation, and was the precedent for the celebration of the Treaty of Zamora in 1143. In 1662, during the Restoration War, the town was burned down by the general governor of arms of Castile, D. Baltazar Rojas Pantoja, who established his headquarters in the Paço de Giela, in an energetic offensive on the Minho. The highest point in the municipality is located in Pedrada, at an altitude of 1,416 metres, in the Serra de Soajo.

Made entirely of cast bronze, it is one of the most beautiful examples of Portuguese equestrian art of the 20th century. Designed by the sculptor José Rodrigues, it masterfully depicts two knights in imminent confrontation, mounted on horses and armed with long lances, defensive helmets and shields, thus representing, in an allegorical way, the conflict that in 1141 pitted the armies of Afonso Henriques against those of his cousin Afonso VII of León and Castile, and which became known as the “Recontro” or “Torneio de Valdevez”, one of the most important moments in the formation of Portugal, forever marking national history and thus giving substance to the phrase that symbolizes the municipality: Arcos de Valdevez Onde se Fez (Arcos de Valdevez, Where Portugal was Made).

The current bridge that connects the two banks of the town of Arcos de Valdevez is a 19th century construction, begun in 1876 and completed in 1880, which completely replaced a medieval example. No architectural elements remain of this original construction, so knowledge of its original structure is based on a scarce bibliography and a few engravings. The monument was composed of four round arches, supported by strong piers, without eyelets, and with piers. There were also two access ramps, which rose from the banks to a flat platform. No acronyms are mentioned on any of the stone elements of the construction, although their existence was almost certain, as is typical of known examples of medieval bridges. The entire structure is markedly Romanesque. The period of its construction is believed to be somewhere between the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century, since the place name Arcos is already mentioned in the Inquiries of 1258. The existence of the bridge and its association with the local fair, of significant size and importance in the 15th century, as well as an important road network to and from the outside, were the basis for the historical, economic and social development of the town of Arcos.

Possibly one of the only bars located right next to the Ecovia do Vez. Well-kept space. You can rent kayaks and sun loungers.