Ponte de Lima (European Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpõtɨ ðɨ ˈlimɐ] ⓘ) is the oldest vila (chartered town, head of a municipality) in Portugal, in the district of Viana do Castelo.

[5] The municipal holiday is celebrated on the Tuesday following the Feiras Novas (New Fairs), a festivity held annually during the second weekend of September.

[6] The area of Ponte de Lima has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence of settlements dating back over 3,000 years.

This road, which traversed the region from south to north, was later used during the medieval period and partially coincided with the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

[7] Ponte de Lima received its first foral (charter) on March 4, 1125, granted by Theresa, Countess of Portugal and her son, Afonso Henriques.

Leonel de Lima, was granted the hereditary title of Alcaide-Mor (chief magistrate) in recognition of his family's support for King John I.

[7] Ponte de Lima has a Mediterranean Climate Administratively, the municipality is divided into 39 civil parishes (freguesias):[10] The Feiras Novas (New Fairs) are the municipal festivities of Ponte de Lima, established on May 5, 1826, by King Peter IV of Portugal, who authorized three days of annual fairs in honor of Nossa Senhora das Dores (Our Lady of Sorrows).

[citation needed] The attractive rural area surrounding the town has the largest concentration of baroque manors in Portugal (Aurora, Bertiandos, Brandara, Calheiros, and Pomarchão are among the best known); Some provide tourism accommodation.