Vila Real de Santo António images
Image gallery of Vila Real de Santo António: Rio Guadiana, old town, places of interest, ferry to Ayamonte, square Marques de Pombal, Guadiana bridge, ...
Vila Real de Santo António: Marina on the Guadiana river
The town of Vila Real de Santo António is located on the border of the Algarve to Spain, only a few miles from the estuary mouth of the Guadiana river. This areal view depicts the geometric structure of the town, that has been completely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755.
Vila Real d.S.A.: Praça Marques de Pombal
The square in the centre of the town has been named after the prime miniser of Portugal, who was responsible for the fast reconstruction of Vila Real d.S.A.
Vila Real: Parish Church
The church is situated at the northern end of the square. The obelisk in the middle of the square is dedicated to King José I, under whose reign the town was built in 1774 within only 5 months. To honour the king, Marques de Pombal gave the new settlement the name "Vila Real", i.e. royal town.
Vila Real: Archirecture
The houses around the square all have the same size and scope. Together with the rectangular pattern of the streets this was one of the measures to achieve a minimum construction time.
Vila Real: Cultural Centre
Facade of the former municipal market hall, situated at the pedestrian zone of Vila Real, plastered with an artful mosaic. Nowadays the building is used as cultural centre („Centro Cultural Antonio Aleixo“) of the town. Antonio Aleixo was a popular poet living in the first half of the last Century.
Vila Real de Santo Antóniol: Promenade and marina
View to the marina of Vila Real d.S.A. and the promenade "Avenida da Republica"along the shore of the Guadiana river. The marvellous fassades have been restored carefully.
Vila Real de Santo Antóniol: Hotel Guadiana
The hotel is located on the "Avenida da Republica", the promenade along the Guadiana river. The art-nouveau fassade is one of the architectural highlights of the town. The hotel, opened in the twenties of the last century is said to be the first in the entire Algarve.
Vila Real de Santo António: Quay on the Guadiana river
This is the place where the boats take off to the river cruises. A view back to the quay and promenade of Vila Real.
Vila Real de Santo António: Ferry boat to Ayamonte
The ferry boat is the only direct connection between Vila Real d.S.A. and Ayamonte on the Spanish border. The next road bridge is situated a few miles upriver near Castro Marim, and the railway "Linha do Algarve" ends in Vila Real.
Rio Guadiana: Bridge
This is the only roadbridge over the Guadiana river, connecting the Algarve with the neighbouring Spain. The "Ponte Internacional do Guadiana" built in 1991 some miles upriver near Castro Marim and is one of the landmarks of the area.