The history of Viana do Castelo runs from an Iron Age hillfort on Santa Luzia to a medieval town at the mouth of the Lima, a sea port of the 15th and 16th centuries, and a shipbuilding city of the 20th century. The town received its charter in 1258 and took its present name in the 19th century.

This page lists the main dates in the history of Viana do Castelo and the people linked to the city.

Timeline of Viana do Castelo

Iron Age: a fortified settlement, the Citânia de Santa Luzia, occupies the hill above the river.
1258: King Afonso III grants a charter to the town at the mouth of the Lima.
14th century: the town is enclosed by walls.
15th and 16th centuries: the port trades with northern Europe and takes part in the voyages and the cod fishery, and the town builds its main square, its churches and its manor houses.
1559: the fountain of Praça da República is built.
16th century: the Fort of Santiago da Barra is built at the river mouth.
1848: Viana is raised to the status of a city and takes the name Viana do Castelo.
1878: the iron bridge over the Lima opens.
1904 to 1959: the sanctuary on Santa Luzia is built, and the funicular opens in 1923.
4 June 1944: the Viana do Castelo shipyards are founded to build fishing vessels, among them the Gil Eannes in 1955.
2013: the shipyards are restructured after financial difficulties, and the Cultural Centre by the architect Eduardo Souto de Moura opens on the riverside.

People linked to Viana do Castelo

King Afonso III: the king who granted the town its charter in 1258.
Ventura Terra: the architect of the sanctuary on Santa Luzia.
Fernando Távora and Eduardo Souto de Moura: architects of the modern riverside, with Praça da Liberdade and the Cultural Centre.