The Legend of the Póvoa Bridge
On the serene banks of the Paiva River, in Vila Nova de Paiva, lies a stone bridge with a history shrouded in mystery and superstition. This is the Póvoa Bridge, the protagonist of one of the oldest and most enigmatic legends in the region. According to popular tales, many centuries ago, during a night of intense storm, a very rich man tried to cross the bridge carrying a heavy bag of gold coins — gold that, it is said, was cursed.
When he reached the middle of the crossing, the man suddenly disappeared, as if he had been swallowed by the waters themselves. He was never seen again, and no trace of the treasure was ever found. From that day on, many claim that, on the darkest nights, it is possible to hear solitary footsteps on the bridge, and even see a spectral figure wandering around in search of his lost gold.
The legend made the Póvoa Bridge synonymous with supernatural mystery, attracting the curiosity of visitors and feeding the local imagination. For the elders, it is more than just a story: it is a warning against greed and ill-gotten wealth. And so, among ancient stones and silent waters, lives a myth that has stood the test of time — that of the bridge where ambition met its end.
Did you know??