Palace of the Marquises of Ponte de Lima

The palace was built in the 15th century and improved in the 16th.

This palace, built on one of the rock gates of the city, hence the name "porta do paço dos viscondes", is a beautiful 16th century building. The facade, which has a light, elegant curve and is flanked by two square towers with battlements , has a beautiful door and two large Manueline windows.

After the death of the last Marquis of Ponte de Lima, the Viscount's palace was sold to a local tailor.

In 1906 the building was bequeathed to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Ponte de Lima so that a new hospital could be installed , which did not happen until 1927.

Between 1970 and 1980 it was acquired by the Ponte de Lima City Council to install the Ponte de Lima Technical School .

After being repaired from 2003 , it was used as the headquarters of the tourist delegation and the exhibition centre of the municipality. It currently houses a museum nucleus, the “Núcleo Museológico dos Paços do Marquês”.

Willem Vandenameele