PONTE ROMANA!

While living and working in Portugal this Spring, a friend suggested I visit the old Roman Bridge called PONTE ROMANA, that is situated nearby. Between Storms, I found an opportunity to go down there and look over the ruins. It was confusing to find, as is often the case with the Treasures of Portugal, especially for foreigners. The signs are there all-right, but often not where they are NEEDED! So I stopped and asked for confirmation from a lady who lived at the end of the pavement. She spoke only Portuguese, but straightened me out in a hurry by showing me the way! There was once a castle on top of a nearby hill, and an old Roman Road was built to cross the Ribeira das Boleias, a local stream. So, in the third century, some 1700 years ago, the Romans who occupied this land back then, built a roadway and a bridge. Portions of the old cobblestone road are still very much intact, as is the bridge itself. It is walled off to prevent bicycles, motorbikes and cars from crossing and doing damage. Walking is fine, and I took advantage of the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Romans, so many years ago.