Vila Nova de Cerveira, Norte Region, Portugal

🇵🇹 Vila Nova de Cerveira is a municipality in the district of Viana do Castelo in Portugal.

Parishes Administratively, the municipality is divided into 11 civil parishes (freguesias): • Campos e Vila Meã • Candemil e Gondar • Cornes • Covas • Gondarém • Loivo • Mentrestido • Reboreda e Nogueira • Sapardos • Sopo • Vila Nova de Cerveira e Lovelhe.

General information The town was founded by King Dinis of Portugal in 1321 and today is mainly known and visited due to the international biennial of art that takes place in the town since 1978.

Geography: Location Between the river and the mountain, Vila Nova de Cerveira is located on the left bank of Minho River, which establishes the border with Spain, and is limited to north-east with the municipality of Valença, Paredes de Coura to the east, Ponte de Lima to the south, and Caminha to south-southwest.

History Vila Nova de Cerveira was established by the King Dinis of Portugal on 1 October 1321, who also ordered the construction of Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira, the castle that still dominates the town center.

Attractions • The castle, today transformed to a pousada, was founded by King Dinis of Portugal and dates back from the 14th century. It lies on a small hill that rises next to the Minho River, thus overlooking the town and passages between Vila Nova de Cerveira and Galicia. The castle still preserves the old wall shield as well as some gates. Inside the walls, it is possible to find the old Town Hall, the old Court, the pillory (pelourinho in Portuguese), old barracks, and warehouses. • The Parish Church, or Igreja Matriz, was built in the 18th century and is dedicated to São Cipriano, the patron Saint of Vila Nova de Cerveira. • The pillory, or pelourinho, is a symbol of municipal jurisdiction and is located inside the castle in front of the old Town Hall, or Paços do Concelho. It dates back from the 15th century. • The old Town Hall dates back from the 16th century and is located inside the castle. In front of the building is the pillory. • The Misericórdia Church is located inside the castle and dates back from the 17th century. • The Manor House of the Castros Family, or Solar dos Castros, is a remarkable 18th-century structure, and it is one of the most important buildings in town. Currently, it houses the municipal library. • Lovelhe Fortress was built in the 17th century in a strategic area for defense manoeuvers on the left bank of Minho River during the restoration war (1640–1668) against Castile.