Castelo de Penalva Old Bridge

Popularly named as “Roman Bridge” or “Castle Bridge”, this lovely structure over the Dão river is situated at about 6km distance from the centre of Penalva do Castelo, surrounded by a astonishing rural landscape.

Even though the bridge is usually referred to as “Roman”, there are no certainties about that fact, and it is thought that it probably dates from the Medieval period. Yet, its structure follows the Roman architectonic style with its only round arch, that kept being used centuries after the Roman occupancy of the territory. Other studies suggest that this structure might have been built over a previous bridge, and probably using the same materials.