Ponte do Arco (Ark Bridge), Vila Fria, Felgueiras

The Vizela valley - a 45km long river that crosses part of the Minho region, from Fafe to Santo Tirso -, hides some beautiful and culturally rich places, like Ponte do Arco (Ark Bridge), located at Vila Fria, Felgueiras. This bridge was built during the roman empire, about two thousand years ago, re-built in the Middle Age, and was hopefully kept in good shape throughout the centuries.

Ponte do Arco is part of the roman road from Bracara Augusta (Braga) to Emerita Augusta (Mérida). You can still walk over a short segment of the original roman road only a few meters away from the bridge. Still close to the bridge, there is a beautiful watermill in good condition and the ruins of an old asylum which was in the past a hostel where pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela stopped to recover their strengths.

All the scenery around the bridge provides you moments of relaxation and reflection. You barely find someone else visiting this spot, so you can as well fully enjoy the sound of the flowing waters, flying bees, and singing birds.

If you walk by the margin of the river in April or May, you'll see a wonderful show of flowered fields, where children (and why not yourself) will certainly want to run and roll on! Some hundreds meters away, you'll first find a beautiful, picturesque village - Aldeia do Burgo -, classified as Aldeia de Portugal (historical villages of Portugal). Not far from Aldeia do Burgo, you'll cross the ruins of another village - Talhós. This village carries a mysterious aura: its ruins, its surrounding scenery and the heavy silence stimulate your adrenaline. But don't run away! There are lots of blackberries hanging on the walls siding the road. And they're delicious! They make a wonderful dessert for this pleasant stay at Vila Fria.

Ponte do Arco coordinates: 41.39449, -8.23061