Portagem Medieval bridge
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Portagem bridge on Sever river is from late 16th / early 17th century. However, it has materials of Roman origin, perhaps from Ammaia city or from an old Roman bridge, that have existed upstream (where, in the 18th century, was rebuilt the current Olhos de Água bridge), and overturned in the 16th century, to prevent evasion of customs duties (the name Portagem means toll). Made of granite, Portagem bridge has 5 round arches (1st on the north bank is closed up down). With about 50 m long and 4 m wide, the board is paved with irregular stone and bordered by granite stones with about 1 m high. The piers that support the bridge, have cutwaters, triangular upstream and quadrangular downstream.
Portagem Bridge, the Tower and the surrounding area are classified as a Public Interest Set.
The bridge is a good spot to watch small birds that eat insects associated with water, like Grey Wagtail and white-throated dipper. On the riverside trees you can see birds that also feed on insects, but in this case, in the bark, as Short-toed Treecreeper and Wood Nuthatch. The agricultural fields by the river are home of wild-sparrows. In winter, there are sometimes flocks of European Siskin.
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Portagem bridge on Sever river is from late 16th / early 17th century. However, it has materials of Roman origin, perhaps from Ammaia city or from an old Roman bridge, that have existed upstream (where, in the 18th century, was rebuilt the current Olhos de Água bridge), and overturned in the 16th century, to prevent evasion of customs duties (the name Portagem means toll). Made of granite, Portagem bridge has 5 round arches (1st on the north bank is closed up down). With about 50 m long and 4 m wide, the board is paved with irregular stone and bordered by granite stones with about 1 m high. The piers that support the bridge, have cutwaters, triangular upstream and quadrangular downstream.
Portagem Bridge, the Tower and the surrounding area are classified as a Public Interest Set.
The bridge is a good spot to watch small birds that eat insects associated with water, like Grey Wagtail and white-throated dipper. On the riverside trees you can see birds that also feed on insects, but in this case, in the bark, as Short-toed Treecreeper and Wood Nuthatch. The agricultural fields by the river are home of wild-sparrows. In winter, there are sometimes flocks of European Siskin.
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Alentejo
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Marvão
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Serra de S. Mamede Nature Park
Identification and Access
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Yes
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Access to Portagem coming from:
- Marvão (about 6 km) - N359-6 and N359;
- Spain by Fronteira dos Galegos (about 6 km) - IC 13;
- Castelo de vide ((about 8 km) - EN 246-1; or
- Portalegre (about 12 km) - N 359.
Base Characterization
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Public Interest Set
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Way
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Rural.
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Public
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Sixteenth century
Tips
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Nearby see Portagem tower and try to see some birds on Sever riverbanks.