A Blooming Village

Câmara Municipal de Ponte de Lima

PONTE DE LIMA

A BLOOMING VILLAGE

PORTUGUESE APPICATION “ENTENTE FLORALE 2000” 2

INDEX

Pag.

PROGRAMME OF THE VISIT FROM THE EUROPEAN JURY 2

1 – Ponte de Lima, a “Blooming Village” 4

2 – A Walk through the village of Ponte de Lima

3 – Geographical Context

4 – Population

5 – Tourism

6 - Ponte de Lima (Social, Educational, Health, Sports) Infrastructures

7 – Ponte de Lima Socio-cultural Infrastructures and Activities

8 – Infrastructures and Leisure Areas

9 – Heritage

10 – Green Areas

European Contest “Blooming Villages”

PROGRAMME

Visit of the European Jury 8th and 9th June 2000 PONTE DE LIMA

Tuesday: 8th June

14.00h Departure by bus to Ponte de Lima 15.00h Accommodation at Casas de Turismo de Habitação 17.00h Meeting at Madalena 20.00h Dinner at the Restaurant of Ponte de Lima Golf Course

Friday: 9th June

9.30h Library (Presentation of a Video about Ponte de Lima) 10.00h Visit to Ponte de Lima Gardens 13.00h Lunch at Náutico Restaurant 14.30h Visit to the Ponte de Lima Gardens 17.00h Ponte de Lima Town Hall 17.30h Departure to the Airport

ITINERARY

“A Walk through Ponte de Lima”

Morning:

Biblioteca Municipal (Library) » Igreja Matriz »Largo de S. José » Beco das Selas » Rua Formosa »Capela das Pereiras » Rua Fonte da Vila »Jardim Alberto Sampaio »Parque da Lapa » Paço do Marquês » Largo Dr. António de Magalhães » Rua de Souto »Largo da Porta Nova » Muralhas (Village walls) » Torre da Cadeia » Passeio 25 de Abril » Avenida dos Plátanos » Museu dos Terceiros » Parque da Guia » Açude » Rio Lima (Lima River)

Afternoon:

Náutico/ Marina » Passeio (Sidewalk along the River) » Campos do Arnado » Parque Temático do Arnado » Ponte Velha (Ancient Bridge) » Largo de S. João » Calçada dos Artistas » Rua das Neves » Câmara Municipal (Town Hall)

1 – Ponte de Lima, a “BLOOMING VILLAGE”

In the heart of Ribeira Lima, where the valley spreads among the mountains, we find the borough which best defines and evidences in its nature and in its population, the character and the soul of the Minho province.

Ponte de Lima concentrates, in a small scale, everything that shapes the character of the Minho: the small villages, farms and Solares in the plains; the belvederes with a view of the wedding between the blue sky, the green landscape and often also the white mist over the river; the presence of rivers and streams, singing in the mountains and silent in the plain.

The history is also very rich, sculpted in bridges, chapels and manor houses. All is part of Mui Antiga e Leal Vila de Ponte de Lima , a title given by the Queen D. Maria II.

Ponte de Lima had its origin in the Roman way Braga-Tui-Astorga. The bridge existed since this very beginning. In 1125 Queen Teresa granted Royal Charter to the village of Ponte de Lima. The market was also created at that time – one of the oldest and most colourful markets in the country, that still spreads on the banks of the river and through the village streets.

In the middle of the 14th century, King Pedro I built the walls and the towers around the village. In the reign of King Manuel the medieval urban centre experienced a marked growth. Several manor and state houses were built in the 18th century, with the money from Brazil and the local agriculture income.

The valley of Ponte de Lima is naturally a spontaneous garden. By the river, poplars and willows embroider its margins. In the pastures wild flowers spring as a yellow and violet tapestry with the village colours: corn marigold and borage.

On the slopes, among the green of the forests, there are yellow and white spots of mimosa, genista and furze, and violet, purple flowered heather.

Besides all this enchanted natural landscape, the village presents Parks and Gardens full of colour, a result from the human intervention. The combination of this abundant vegetation from state and private gardens, and from the verandas of the houses make Ponte de Lima a “BLOOMING VILLAGE”, full of green areas. The village population evidences its kinship in green areas, gardens and flowers, which is well expressed through the gardens, verandas, windows embellished with flowers, the joint participation in events such as “Os Maios”, “Os Tapetes Floridos”, the embellishment of Chapels and Churches, the Popular Fairs, Festivities and Markets.

To this natural and built heritage had been awarded several prizes in the areas of Environment and Gardens, namely:

• The first “Blue Flag” in Portugal, to the Arnado River Beach; • “ The most blooming village of Portugal” (several awards) • Honour Award in the “European Contest of Blooming Villages”, in 1994 • European Award of Tourism and Environment, in 1995

In order to increase the local population participation in the improvement of green areas and private gardens, the Town Hall promotes several contestS, among which we may stress “Prémio Aldeia Limpa” (Tidy Villages’prize) and “Ponte de Lima mais Florida” (Ponte de Lima in Blossom), considering three different issues: Gardens, Flower Beds, and Verandas/ Windows.

2- A WALK THROUGH PONTE DE LIMA (Map no. 1)

MORNING:

CAPELA DAS PEREIRAS

An area of architectonic interest, enriched by flower beds and the plantation of small trees near the chapel.

ALBERTO SAMPAIO GARDEN

A garden with flower beds of annual plants, divided by boxwood, next to Paços de Concelho and the Pillory.

PAÇO DO MARQUÊS

A garden with designed hedges and bushes, also with flower beds of annual plants divided by boxwood and a rose garden. There is also a green with high trees and autochthonous shrubs.

LAPA PARK

Lapa Park presents a wide variety of ancient trees, namely Cedrus deodara, and Cedrus libani . Other interesting species are Ulmus pendula, Tila argentea, Liriodendron tulipifera, Cercis siliquatrum, Juglans nigra, Aesculus hippocastanun, Catalpa hybrida and Acer negundo.

The flower beds present shrubs and herbaceous plants adapted to the shade. This Park may be reached easily and it is located in the centre of the village, comprising also Lapa Chapel. A pergola with a Chinese wistaria, two lakes, and stone benches along the wall that surrounds the Park, turn it into an ideal place to rest.

LARGO DR. ANTÓNIO MAGALHÃES

It is an area that leads to the centre of the Village, with flower beds of annual plants and boxwood. It is important to mention Villa Belmira, a house of Brazilian type, with a cave and a baroque garden.

AVENIDA DOS PLÁTANOS

A sidewalk with hundred year old planetrees, which is one of the favourite places of the Village in the summer due to its shade. Its beauty remains through the Autumn through the presence of the leaves’ different colours.

GUIA PARK

This Park belongs to the project of revalorization of the River Lima banks, together with the Açude (Dam). The parking area of this park is mainly laid out as a garden, full of bushes, shrubs and trees. The type of vegetation allows a contrast with Avenida dos Plátanos, presenting mainly Aesculus hippocastanum . The remaining trees and shrubs have been grouped according to their foliage and height, in order to take profit from the colour of their leaves and their blossom in the different seasons. Here we have, among others, Camellias, Azaleas, Rhododendron and Spireas. Populus nigra were planted in order to diminish the presence of an already existing building.

AFTERNOON:

NAUTICAL CLUB/ MARINA

A green area with a sports complex – A Nautical Centre and an Equestrian Centre. There are three green areas : a parking area, a restaurant and a marina/ Açude (dam). By the river there are some shrubs and other species adapted to the riverside. 9

SIDEWALK ALONG THE RIVER

Along the right bank of the river a sidewalk has been built with stone benches. A green area, with Hidrangeas and all natural local species.

CAMPOS DO ARNADO

Arnado : a leisure area supporting Arnado River Beach. Lindens provide a pleasant shade over the picnic tables and over part of the river beach. The yellow jasmine and the Hidrangeas along the walls complete the embellishment of this area.

Picnic park: This area has been constructed to provide a picnic and a parking area. The vineyards have been kept and trees were planted to provide shade for the area. The parking area is divided from the picnic area, and supports not only the picnic area but also the River Beach and the Village Gardens (Jardins Temáticos da Vila).

ARNADO THEME PARK (PARQUE TEMÁTICO DO ARNADO)

This park is part of the project of global revalorization of the riverside banks. It presents an historical development of the gardens all over the centuries. The existing agricultural structures have been utilised and integrated within the erudite gardens of different time periods, allowing the presentation of a botanical garden with a glass-house.

A Roman Garden, a Renaissance Garden, and Baroque Garden and a Labyrinth, originated in the Greek mythology, depict different historical periods. 10

3 - GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT (Map no. 2)

The borough of Ponte de Lima with an area of 321km2, comprises 51 parishes. Together with other neighbouring boroughs, Ponte de Lima occupies a central position in an axle of a great economic and demographic dynamic. (Littoral North – Galiza/Spain, Oporto Metropolitan Area – Vigo/ Spain).

This borough is characterised by mountains and hills which limit the Lima hydrological basin. In the northern part of River one may find the Arga, Antela and Formigoso mountains and the hills of Penedo and S. Simão. South stands Padela mountain.

The River Lima and other streams, such as Labruja River, Estorãos River, Cabril River and Trovela River constitute the support to the local ecological life.

In spite of being the largest borough of the Lima Valley in what concerns intensity of urban occupation, Ponte de Lima is incipiently populated at the urban level and evidences a rural character, characterised by a scattered population. The main population centres may be found in the Village of Ponte de Lima, the centre of the borough, and in the parish of Freixo, in the south.

This area comprises important accessibilities: A3 – the Motorway Porto/ Braga/ Valença, linked to Spain (Vigo), IC1 – Viana do Castelo/ Porto, 18km away from Ponte de Lima. This will be improved with the roads IC28 (Ponte de Lima/ Arcos/ Barca) and IP9 (linking Ponte de Lima to the IC1). In the area, there are also the harbours of Viana do Castelo, Leixões and Vigo, as well as the airports of Oporto and Vigo.

4 - POPULATION

Total Population: 44.370 Population density: 138 inhab/ km2 Population living in the Ponte de Lima urban centre: 5.500

The population density is of 138 inhab/km2, being this average influenced by some parishes densely populated. Ponte de Lima is the fifth borough in the Northern Region which presents a high rate of population living in areas with less than 100 inhabitants and, as previously mentioned, presenting a scattered population.

Employment of the Active Population according to the Different Economic Sectors: Year Primary Sector Secondary Sector Tertiary Sector 1981 54.6% 26.6% 18.8% 1991 31.05 36.0% 30.0%

As it happens in this region, the borough of Ponte de Lima presents a reinforcement of the tertiary sector in comparison to the primary and secondary sectors

Unemployment presents relatively low rates. (4,8% according to The National Institut of Statistics).

5 – TOURISM

The beauty of the surrounding landscape, the rich heritage, and the limiana hospitality makes Ponte de Lima one of the destinations most endeavoured by the tourists.

The borough of Ponte de Lima evidences a significant number of concentrated quality accommodation, mainly in the houses of Turismo de Habitação Being the cradle of this type of tourism, it represents also its highest offer at the national level, and is therefore considered as the capital of Turismo de Habitação . This accommodation 12 practice is developed around three categories: “Agroturismo”, “Turismo de Habitação” and “Turismo em Espaço Rural”.

TURIHAB – an Association of Turismo de Habitação, may be found in the Village of Ponte de Lima. CENTER- Central Nacional de Turismo no Espaço Rural, is presented by TURIHAB, comprising a national network of 97 houses – Solares de Portugal.

“Europa das Tradições” (Europe of Traditions) , a co-operation network, was established, in order to promote accommodation in private houses, to maintain and develop the culture and traditions of the member countries, and to promote the interchange of ideas. It is constituted by a consortium of five organisations: Solares de Portugal (Portugal); The Hidden Ireland (Ireland); Château Accueil (France); Wolsey Lodges (UK) and Erfgoed Logies (The Netherlands) ; offering a personalised hospitality in houses with an original style, allowing visitors the possibility to enjoy the country’s and the region’s traditions and culture.

At the same time, and in order to complement this type of offer quality infrastructures have been developed, such as the Golf Course and the Calvelo Hippodrome, as well as others mentioned in this document.

This region, mainly targeted to tourism, offers also high quality catering services, through its restaurants with a typical rich and diversified gastronomy, with dishes such as Sarrabulho , and Lampreia (lamprey), accompanied by White and Red Vinho Verde (Green Wine), produced in the area, and traditional desserts of ancient sweets.

All these resources are enriched by the ethnographic heritage, including typical and original folk dances and handicrafts.

At last, the Caminho de Santiago (The Way to Santiago) is an important element for the entire area tourist promotion. Ponte de Lima was crossed by thousands of pilgrims on their way to Santiago, and this was one of the ancient routes of the Portuguese way to Santiago.

6 – PONTE DE LIMA’S (Social, Educational, Health, Sports) INFRASTRUCTURES

The urban centre of Ponte de Lima (head of the borough) presents several infrastructures available to the local population (village and borough), and to all the visitors. Some of these infrastructures are quantitatively indicated, as follows:

Hospitals (Hospital Distrital) – 1 Health Centres – 1 State Buildings – 19 Churches – 10 Schools – 5 Fernando Pessoa University ( Escola Superior Agrária and Escola profissional de Ponte de Lima, although not located in the centre of the village) Police Station: Polícia de Segurança Pública – 1 Guarda Nacional Republicana – 1 Firemen Quarter –1 Courtyard –1 Sports Complex – 2 Municipal swimming-pool –1 Tennis Courts – 1 Tourist Office – 1 Central Bus Station -1

7 – PONTE DE LIMA’S SOCIO-CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURES AND ACTIVITIES

The borough of Ponte de Lima presents several socio-cultural activities. Those that follow, are the ones that take place and are held in the village:

Festivities/ Fairs and Markets • Feiras Novas (September) • Vaca das Cordas (before Corpus Christi) • Market (every two weeks – on Monday) • Book Market • Handicrafts Market

Museums, Cinemas and Theatres • Diogo Bernardes Theatre • Rio Lima Cinema • Terceiros Museum/ Instituto Limiano • Rural Museum (under construction): aiming at the depiction of rural world activities, such as those of Wine, Linen and Bread production. A typical kitchen will be also built in order to promote the local gastronomy; as well as a ECOTECA in order to sensitise the population and especially the youth to environmental and ecological aspects of nature preservation. • Art and Culture Centre, dedicated to handicrafts and other exhibitions. • Old Prison Tower, exhibition room. • Pereiras Chapel, multifunctional cultural area. • Municipal Library: comprising an amphitheatre, VIDEOTECA, children’s room, adults’ room in order to enlarge the given information and to promote new technologies, computers connected to the INTERNET are also available.

8 – INFRASTRUCTURES/ LEISURE AREAS (Maps no. 3 and 3.1)

Quality infrastructures have been created to promote the borough and its natural and cultural heritage, and which constitute a tourist attraction, namely:

Existing:

Golf Course Hippodrome (Centro Hípico de Calvelo) Equestrian Centre Santa Maria da Madalena Complex Projects of Valorisation of the Lima River banks: Nautical Centre Arnado Theme Park Arnado River Beach Campos do Arnado

Under Construction /Proposed:

Zona Húmida de Bertiandos e S. Pedro de Arcos Projects of Valorisation of the Lima River banks: Sports Park Leisure Swimming-pools Labyrinths Park or Ponte de Lima Gardens’ Festival

The Golf Course constitutes a centre of attraction of the resident population as well as of those that visit Ponte de Lima all year round.

As one of the best horse tracks in the north of the country, Calvelo Hippodrome, has since its beginning constituted a strong tourist attraction and may turn into an important Equestrian Centre in the Alto Minho. This activity is also represented, though at a smaller level, in the Equestrian Centre by the river, next to the village of Ponte de Lima.

The Nautical Centre, The Arnado Theme Park and The Arnado River Beach are projects already carried out and which integrate the Projects of Valorisation of the Lima River banks. The Nautical Centre has contributed to the improvement of existing hydric resources and to increase participation in nautical sports. This intervention, together with the valorisation of The Arnado River Beach (The first Portuguese River Beach to receive a Blue Flag) and The Arnado Theme Park , allowed the revitalisation 16 of this area, maintaining its original landscape. Between these two areas one may find “Campos do Arnado” , which gathers support infrastructures, both to the Thematic Park and to the River Beach, namely a Bar, a Picnic area and several connecting bridges.

Concerning Arnado Theme Park , it is important to make reference to Anjo da Guarda Chapel, the Rural Museum (under construction) and Sto. António Church , as part of the buildings which turn this into an attractive area of the Ponte de Lima Historical Centre – Além da Ponte.

The Rural Museum project is integrated, among others, in the Project of Rehabilitation of Ponte de Lima Historical Centre , which aims above all at the renewal of public areas, the recuperation of Built Heritage, the construction of social and tourism supply infrastructures and the renovation and dynamisation of economic, social and cultural activities of The Ponte de Lima Historical Centre.

There is also a set of measures to improve the banks of the Lima River, articulated and integrated in the Project of Valorisation of the Lima River Landscape (map no. 2.1) . This Project aims at the landscape restructuring, as well as at the restructuring of the already existing rural and built heritage.

It is also important to mention The Labyrinths Park or The Ponte de Lima Gardens Festival , described under the heading “Green Areas”, and the area of Leisure Swimming-pools , with a seasonal character and allowing a different way of enjoying the river. These projects include the direct support of the Nautical Club.

Concerning Zona Húmida de Bertiandos e S. Pedro de Arcos the proposals and description of the project may be found in Chapter 10 (Green Areas). 17

9 – HERITAGE (map no. 4)

Ponte de Lima has a rich historical heritage. Only a small part will be mentioned hereby, according to the location and landscape integration.

• N. Senhora da Boa Morte Sanctuary : situated in the Correlhã Parish Council. Started in 1700 and finished in 1747, its interior is richly decorated. • Bridge over the Lima River : granite bridge comprising two different sections. One Roman, from the 1st century, and the other gothic, probably built in 1370, together with the village walls, by King Pedro I. The Lima River is the mythological “Hades River”, The Lethes, whose waters erase from the memory of all those that cross it, the wish to return. The Roman soldiers, refusing to cross it, made Décimo Juno Bruto cross it in front of his troops to prove them there was no danger. Later, the Roman armies would cross the granite bridge over the river, which gave name to the surrounding area. (António Matos Reis; “Ponte de Lima no Tempo e no Espaço”, Ponte de Lima, 2000) • Senhor do Socorro Monastery: situated in the Labruja parish council, the monastery of Senhor do Socorro was built in 1770, replacing the existing S. Gregório Chapel. • Solar de Bertiandos: situated in the Bertiandos parish council, it is constituted by two houses, built in the 18th century, next to a tower dating back from the 15th century. • Casa de N. Senhora da Aurora ou Casa do Arrabalde: situated in Rua Vasco da Gama in the Ponte de Lima parish council. It has an “English style” garden, with baroque fountains and specimens of exotic trees from different parts of the world. It surrounded by a magnificent hood. • Paço de Calheiros: situated in the Calheiros parish council, dating back from the 15th century. The main gate has a gothic inscription and a coat of arms dating back from 1533. The main building dates back from the early 18th century. It has a formal garden with complicated boxwood parterres.

• Santa Maria Madalena Chapel: situated in a magnificent area, in the legendary “Monte das Santas” and rebuilt around 1896. It is a pilgrimage’s destination. From this place one gets an extraordinary view of the village. The rich fauna and flora can also be fully appreciated. • Lapa Church: situated in Largo da Lapa. It was built in 1763, by the first marquees of Ponte de Lima. The works were not concluded and only the main chapel was built. • Terceiros Museum: an impressive pair of churches: from the Frades Capuchos Convent and from the Terceiros Convent. • Pereiras Chapel: situated in the Pereiras Quarter, which constituted in the 16th century an important part of the village. It was built in 1525 next to the Pereiras Tower. In 1757 it was rebuilt and renewed in 1818. It is now closed. • Santo Ovídeo Chapel: in its interior holds a tomb classified as Public Interest Building. This chapel dates back from medieval times. It was a pilgrimage place in the route of the Romanic chapels. • Old Prison and S. Paulo’s Towers and Walls: situated in Rua Cardeal Saraiva and Passeio 25 de Abril. The Old Prison Tower, built in the 16th century, together with S. Paulo’s Tower and the walls in between, are the only remains of the medieval walled fortress. The Old Prison Tower is at present an exhibition room. • Roman way from Braga to Tui, 14 Roman Landmarks: situated in Bertiandos, EN no. 202; Arcozelo, EN nº 523, Vila; Rebordões, Souto, Beiral and Calvelo.

10 – GREEN AREAS

10.1 – Human Resources

The Service of Municipal Gardens and Parks includes two full-time agriculture technicians, which support the elaboration of projects and the maintenance of green areas and 25 gardeners.

10.2. – Infrastructures The department has the necessary equipment and the necessary technological means have also been bought.

10.3 – Professional Training

The gardeners and the Technicians have attended Professional Training Courses/ Seminars (plant propagation; watering systems; greens; etc) in order to update and improve their professional knowledge and skills.

As many of the applicants to the gardener position are unskilled workers, the Ponte de Lima Town Hall has promoted together with the Employment and Professional Training Institute, gardening courses for long term unemployed youngsters or for those looking for the first job.

10.4 – Partnerships

The Municipality has developed some partnerships with several public and private Institutions, in order to support the technical services.

The partnerships established with schools, namely agriculture education (Escola Superior Agrária de Ponte de Lima and Escola Profissional Agrícola de Ponte de Lima) 20 and secondary education – Nature Clubs, include, among others, the grants of training periods for students in environment and green areas, the availability of equipment and buildings, professional training and seminars.

Also private entities have given their support to these type of initiative, through the supply of regional plants for the municipal gardens and parks, which evidences, once more, the involvement of the local population in these activities.

Partnerships have been promoted with private joint ownership, local trade and industry in order to improve their green areas.

Protocols have also been established with the responsible entities for motorways and roads in order to improve the landscape that surrounds these accessibilities.

10.5 – Total Green Area and Origin of the Plants

The green area is approximately 81ha

The plants for the gardens come from Horto Municipal, where herbaceous and shrubs are reproduced, adapted to our climatic conditions and to the characteristics of our green areas, and from local Nursery-Gardens.

10.6 – Projects carried out in the previous year

Besides the Arnado Theme Park ( Parque Temático do Arnado) (c.2 and 8) other projects have been carried out to improve the Village landscape, namely in residential areas, parking areas, accessibility to the Village and by the riverside. These projects have greatly enriched and improved Ponte de Lima’s environmental integration.

Intervention Areas: a) Rua Dr. Luís da Cunha Nogueira b) PSP Parking Area c) Parking area of Largo dr. Ferreira Carmo d) Road to the Village of Ponte de Lima (trees, roundabout, etc) e) Rua Cónego José Barbosa f) Largo Dr. Vieira de Araújo g) Parque da Lapa h) Campos do Arnado i) Left Margin of the Lima River between Nª. Sra. da Guia Bridge and the Dam j) Right Margin of the Lima River between the Nautical Centre and the Dam k) Avenida António Feijó l) The Village Historical Centre m) Pereiras Chapel n) Adelino Sampaio Garden o) Rua Domingos Tarroso p) Avenida Cinco de Outubro q) Monte da Madalena (Madalena Mountain) r) Monte de Santo Ovídio (Santo Ovídio Mountain) s) Municipal Cemetery t) Central Bus Station u) Kinder gardens, Schools and Parish Councils of Ponte de Lima Borough.

As a valuable resource, water quality and water management received special attention from the Municipality. Thus, the watering system has been improved (a better watering system means a decrease in water consumption). New automatic watering systems have been installed and plants demanding less watering were selected.

In what concerns water collection for watering, the Municipality has aimed at the absence of incompatibilities between the water supply to the population and the 22 watering of green areas. New water collection zones have been provided in the Lima River by the Municipality.

The Environment was also given special attention. The Municipal landfill was closed and the area was rehabilitated. The garbage was distributed by Ecopontos.

New projects of environmental education have been carried out in the area’s schools.

A recycling project of green and forest residues is being currently carried out.

The inventory of state and private gardens’ vegetal flora is in course in order to catalogue all the specimens. Simultaneously a brochure for pedagogical purposes will be published.

10.7 – Short Term Projects

a) Project of Valorisation of the Lima River Banks

As previously mentioned (Chap. 8) several projects integrate the Valorisation of the River banks, such as “The Labyrinths’ Park or the Ponte de Lima Gardens’ Festival” . This area presents several vineyards, which constitute special elements in division of the park and in its spatial organisation. The vineyards’ tradition of the Lima Valley was kept and the landscape was altered for new and different purposes.

These 2,5 hectares have been divided in three distinct areas: swimming-pool area, leisure park area and the area defined as “The Gardens Festival”. This area is an exhibition area of ephemeral gardens, yearly renewed, with small divisions of approximately 150 to 200 m2, with 12 ephemeral gardens, for a six months period.

This Festival will allow Ponte de Lima the leadership in sensitising the population for gardening and to environmental issues. At the same time artists will have the possibility 23 of depicting their creative skills. For the gardening enterprises, it will be also a challenge as they may sponsor some of these areas or merely supply part of the necessary materials. b) Zona Húmida de Bertiandos e S. Pedro de Arcos The Zona Húmida de Bertiandos e S. Pedro de Arcos is 3 km away from the village of Ponte de Lima. This area of high biological interest is part of Sítio do Rio Lima, which integrates the European Network Natura 2000 and a Biological Park is proposed for this area. The area of the Biological Park is (almost totally) characterised by a natural and spontaneous vegetation, typical of wet areas. In order two promote and protect this area several infrastructures have been proposed: four pedestrian itineraries; a Reception Office and a Visitors’ Centre; a Camping park; two parking areas and several observatories.(Map no. 5) c) PROCOM Programme It is a Project of urban renewal of the Ponte de Lima Village Historical Centre, aiming also at the implementation of trees, shrubs and a distribution of flower vases by the village shops and private houses. d) Rehabilitation of the Gardens of The Terceiros Convent The renewal of the Convent Gardens is based upon two images and a picture as well as upon the observation of the area, its walls, stairs, tanks, etc.

The idea of renewing the garden, includes the rebuilt and the repositioning of the central tank, the stairs and the former locutory around the garden.

A garden with medicinal plants, spices, and ornamental plants, which are the basic elements of “Jardins dos Santos dos Simples”, is proposed.

Together with these projects, the Town Hall intends to carry out other smaller projects of landscape renewal, not only in the village of Ponte de Lima but also in the entire borough.