Aquae Flaviae

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The Roman bridge and the river Tâmega - Chaves

Aquæ Flaviæ is the ancient Roman name for the city of Chaves, Portugal.

It was a major city in the Roman province of Gallaecia, an important and strategic post, where three of the most important Roman roads converged: The Bracara Augusta, Asturica, and Lamecum.

There was much movement between Bracara Augusta and Asturica for the region had natural resources that were exported to Rome. Aquae Flaviae had numerous Roman Army Legionaries deployed in the region. Also famous was the Roman SPA, which is believed to have lasted until the sixteenth century.

Trajano's bridge over the river is a Roman monument that persists. It was built at the end of the century I and II beginning of the century A.C.. The Roman bridge has a board with 140 mt in length and supported by 12 visible arches, and other four, not visible nowadays, buried by houses.

The bridge has two columns in the middle cylindrical epigraphical that testify the built in the kingdom of Emperor Trajano, all from expenses of Flaviense people. It is so far, the main symbol of the city of Chaves. When the town received the charter of Manuel I, the bridge was represented in the coat of arms.