Torres de São Paulo e da Cadeia e o pequeno pano de muralha existente entre as duas torres, Medieval defensive towers in Ponte de Lima, Portugal.
The two towers Torre da Cadeia and Torre de São Paulo stand in the center of Ponte de Lima connected by a section of medieval wall. These stone structures form a defensive complex that marks the former fortification line of the town.
Construction of the fortification began in 1359 under King Pedro but was only completed between 1367 and 1383 during Portugal's period of maritime expansion. This long timeline shows how substantial these defensive works were and how important they became to the town's protection.
The Torre da Cadeia displays the royal coat of arms and an armillary sphere on its southern face, symbols that reflect the place's political importance in medieval times. These emblems remind visitors of the monarchy's presence in the daily life of the town.
The towers are accessible throughout the year and sit directly in the historic center of Ponte de Lima. Visitors can view the structures from outside and walk along the medieval town wall.
The Torre de São Paulo features a tile panel by Jorge Colaço depicting a historical scene from the reign of King Afonso Henriques. This artistic element brings together architectural history with a visual memory of the kingdom's early period.
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