Illustrated Postcards: Viseu and Viana do Castelo
A remembrance from the Portugal of the past. In the image, we can see Soajo, in the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez (Viana do Castelo).
Postcards (21th Century) by Edição Reg. de Bernardo DiasVirtual Museum of Lusophony
The images in this collection are part of the research project: "The illustrated postcards: for a socio-semiotic of the image and the imaginary", financed by the Foundation for Science and Technology. The research was coordinated by Professor Moisés de Lemos Martins (Communication and Society Research Centre - CECS, at University of Minho). In this first part we present digital reproductions of postcards from the regions of Viana do Castelo and Viseu. In the other parts, postcards from Braga, Bragança and Portalegre will be presented. The postcards are dated from the 19th century up to today.
We chose to reproduce only the front of the postcards in order to offer a better dynamic in the virtual navigation intended here.
Viana do Castelo
The district of Viana do Castelo is composed of ten municipalities. It has a rich cultural and natural heritage. In the image, we can see a view of Moledo from the "Santo Antão Mountain" (Monte de Santo Antão), in the municipality of Caminha.
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Viana do Castelo is a Portuguese city. It is located in the region known as the Alto Minho, in the north of the country. It was elevated to city status on January 20, 1848. In 1977, it was the seat of the Catholic diocese. Viana do Castelo has achieved the status of Cittaslow - an international network of cities that aims to reduce the speed of urban life in order to guarantee a higher quality of life for its citizens.
Concil Halls – Viana do Castelo, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by Edição Reg. de Bernardo DiasVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Located in the historic center of Viana do Castelo, the Paço do Conselho was built in the first decade of the 16th century by order of D. Manuel.
Republic Square – Viana do Castelo, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by Secretariat de la Propagande NationaleVirtual Museum of Lusophony
The Praça da República is one of the main tourist attractions of Viana do Castelo. It is considered the city's visiting room, an emblematic space, a place for leisure, sightseeing and shopping.
Railways Station – Viana do Castelo, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by Edição do Bazar Couto VianaVirtual Museum of Lusophony
The Viana do Castelo station building was built in the 19th century.
Logar de Portuzello – Viana do Castelo, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by 5ª edição do Bazar Couto ViannaVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Santa Marta de Portuzelo is a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Viana do Castelo. It is a place of many traditions.
The woman – Viana do Castelo, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by Secretaria da Propaganda NacionalVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Traditionally dressed woman.
Santa Luzia Park and Hotel (20th Century) by national library of portugalVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Park and hotel in Santa Luzia - Viana do Castelo.
Church of Our Lady of Agony (20th Century) by national library of portugalVirtual Museum of Lusophony
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Agonia is located in Campo da Agonia, in the parish of Monserrate. In the late Baroque style, the "bat wing" portal stands out on its facade. The day of Nossa Senhora da Agonia (August 20) is a municipal holiday.
Arcos do Fincão in Viana do Castelo (20th Century) by national library of portugalVirtual Museum of Lusophony
The Fincão arch monument is one of the historical landmarks of Viana do Castelo. With more than five centuries of existence, it is part of the historical heritage of Areosa. For a long time, these arches were part of the supply system complex in the city of Viana do Castelo.
Fortim Wharf and Dock Entrance (20th Century) by national library of portugalVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Fortim Wharf
Main entrance to the wharf channel in Viana do Castelo.
Men at Viana do Castelo (20th Century) by national library of portugalVirtual Museum of Lusophony
An well-dressed gentleman in Viana do Castelo
Viseu - Portugal
The district of Viseu, just across the Douro river, seen from Mesão Frio (in the district of Vila Real).
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Viseu is the name of a Portuguese city that has a district of the same name. It is located in the central region of the country, in a location known as Dão-Lafões. In 2018, Viseu was celebrated as the "European City of Folklore" through the Europeade Festival. In 2019, the city was designated a Gastronomy Destination.
Panorama – Vizeu, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by Union Postale UniverselleVirtual Museum of Lusophony
A panoramic view of the city of Viseu.
Viziense Guild – Vizeu, Portugal (Front) (19th Century) by Union Postale UniverselleVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Grêmio Viziense
This building was consumed by flames on 01/07/1877. However, its own members, with the help of the population, supported the reconstruction of the building.
Station Avenue – Vizeu, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by Union Postale UniverselleVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Avenida da Estação
Built by the municipality of Viseu with the support of Joaquim Pereira da Silva, the avenue connected Viseu to the Railway Station.
Civil Hospital of Vizeu – Vizeu, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by Union Postale UniverselleVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Viseu Hospital
It was built between 1825 and 1833. It was one of the best equipped hospitals in the region.
Sé – Vizeu, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by Union Postale UniverselleVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Viseu Cathedral
Its construction dates from the 13th century, except for the dome, which was built in the 17th century. The towers were rebuilt in 1635 by the architect Salamanca João Moreno.
City Hall and Promenade D. Fernando – Vizeu, Portugal (Front) (20th Century) by Union Postale UniverselleVirtual Museum of Lusophony
Paço do Conselho and Passeio D. Fernando
These sites are located in the central region of Viseu. They were mainly frequented by the city's elite.
Cover photo: Tiago Vieira da Silva
REFERENCES:
Caldas, J. V. & Gomes, P. V. (1990). Viana do Castelo. Lisboa: Editorial Presença.
Câmara Municipal de Viseu. (n.d.). 2018: Viseu, Cidade Europeia do Folclore. Retrieved from https://www.cm-viseu.pt/index.php/diretorio/2018-viseu-cidade-europeia-do-folclore
Martins, M. L. (Org.). (2007). The illustrated postcards: for a socio-semiotic of the image and the imaginary. [Blog]. Retrieved from http://postaisilustrados.blogspot.com/
Martins, M. L. & Oliveira, M. (Cords.) (2011). Portugal Ilustrado em postais: Bragança, Viana do Castelo, Braga, Viseu, Portalegre. Braga: Universidade do Minho - Centro de Estudos de Comunicação e Sociedade (CECS). Retrieved from http://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/handle/1822/36492
Regedor, M. (2008). Postal a Postal. Retrieved from https://postaisilustrados.uminho.pt
Seixas, A. (2017). A Minha Cidade: Viseu. Lisboa: Pato Lógico.
Cover photo: Granaries in Soajo (Arcos de Valdevez) | Tiago Vieira da Silva
Access Part 2 of the Exhibition - Illustrated Postcards: Portalegre and Bragança
Access Part 3 of the Exhibition - Illustrated Postcards - Braga
