Ponte de Lima

Ponte de Lima, is the oldest vila in Portugal. It is part of the district of Viana do Castelo. The population in 2011 was 43,498, in an area of 320.25 km². The town proper has about 2,800 inhabitants.It is named after the long medieval bridge that passes over the Limia river that runs next to the town.The present Mayor is Victor Mendes, elected by the People's Party . It is the only municipality in Portugal ruled solely by this party. The municipal holiday is 20 September.ParishesAdministratively, the municipality is divided into 39 civil parishes : Anais Arca e Ponte de Lima Arcos Arcozelo Ardegão, Freixo e Mato Bárrio e Cepões Beiral do Lima Bertiandos Boalhosa Brandara Cabaços e Fojo Lobal Cabração e Moreira do Lima Calheiros Calvelo Correlhã Estorãos Facha Feitosa Fontão Fornelos e Queijada Friastelas Gandra Gemieira Gondufe Labruja Labrujó, Rendufe e Vilar do Monte Navió e Vitorino dos Piães Poiares Refóios do Lima Ribeira Sá Santa Comba Santa Cruz do Lima Santa Maria de Rebordões Seara Serdedelo Souto de Rebordões Vale do Neiva Vitorino das DonasGeneral informationPonte de Lima is located in 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), it was historically significant as a Roman settlement in the road from Braga to Santiago de Compostela and Lugo, and the first place in Portugal getting a municipal charter.