Ponte Filipina de Carenque de Baixo

Ponte Filipina de Carenque de Baixo is a historic stone bridge from the 17th century, spanning the Ribeira de Carenque stream where the Amadora area meets Queluz, near Lisbon. Today it is used only by pedestrians, and it makes a quiet stop for anyone who enjoys hidden heritage sites away from the main tourist routes.

Where is the bridge and what is it called?

The bridge lies in the Venteira area of the Amadora municipality, right next to the border with Queluz and Belas in the municipality of Sintra. Documents and local guides use several names: Ponte Filipina, Ponte de Carenque de Baixo, and, informally, Ponte Velha ("Old Bridge"), Ponte do Lido and Ponte do Catita. Its coordinates are roughly 38.7565 N, 9.2486 W.

When was it built, and why "Filipina"?

A stone marker on the bridge gives the year 1631 and states that the Lisbon city senate commissioned it. The word "Filipina" refers to the era of the Philip kings, the period of the Iberian Union when Portugal was ruled by monarchs of the Habsburg line. It is a 17th-century structure of considerable historical and architectural value, and sources differ only on minor details such as the exact date protection was granted.

Why did it matter?

The old Lisbon to Sintra road ran across the bridge. That road is now Rua D. Pedro IV. For a long time it was one of the main routes for vehicles travelling between Amadora and Queluz, which made the crossing over the Ribeira de Carenque an important link in the road network around the capital.

Protection and present day

The bridge is classified as a property of municipal interest (since 2006, according to one source) and appears in cultural heritage records. In 2013 traffic was diverted to a newer bridge downstream, leaving the old one for pedestrians.

Before you visit

• The bridge is freely accessible and walkable, so you can take a close look at the stonework and the dated marker.
• It is a short stop, best combined with sightseeing in Queluz or other places around Amadora and Sintra.
• Bring a camera: old stone set against the stream makes for pleasant photos.

Frequently asked questions

What year is the bridge from? 1631, according to the marker on the structure.

Can cars cross it? No. Since 2013 it has been used only by pedestrians.

Who commissioned it? The Lisbon city senate, as the stone marker records.

What other names does it go by? Ponte Velha, Ponte do Lido, Ponte do Catita and Ponte de Carenque de Baixo.