96-410: The Autovía A-57 is a highway in western Spain to the south of Pontevedra . A-59) This Spanish road or road transport-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Pontevedra Pontevedra ( Galician: [ˌpontɪˈβɛðɾɐ] , Spanish: [ponteˈβeðɾa] ) is a city in the autonomous community of Galicia , in northwestern Spain . It
192-485: A marina close to its historic centre . At present, Pontevedra is a city in full revival. It has become the flagship city of the network of walkable cities and one of the cities in the world where children live best, known as The City of Children . Pontevedra is an important administrative, political, judicial, military, historical and cultural centre. In the 16th century it was the largest city in Galicia . Nowadays it
288-569: A Free Zone and a Development Pole to the neighbouring city of Vigo, a rare case in Spain (for a city that was not a provincial capital), which favoured the economic development of this city in the province of Pontevedra to the detriment of the provincial capital, Pontevedra, becoming rival cities. The recovery of the local economy only partially began in the 1960s, with the introduction of some industrial activity. However, these very activities would later cause serious environmental and health concerns, forcing
384-499: A central element. The Early Baroque (1584–1625) was largely dominated by the work of Roman architects, notably the Church of the Gesù by Giacomo della Porta (consecrated 1584) façade and colonnade of St. Peter's Basilica by Carlo Maderno (completed 1612) and the lavish Barberini Palace interiors by Pietro da Cortona (1633–1639), and Santa Susanna (1603), by Carlo Maderno. In France,
480-519: A design. Beginning in 1664, Bernini proposed several Baroque variants, but in the end the King selected a design by a French architect, Charles Perrault , in a more classical variant of Baroque. This gradually became the Louis XIV style . Louis was soon engaged in an even larger project, the construction of the new Palace of Versailles . The architects chosen were Louis Le Vau and Jules Hardouin-Mansart , and
576-690: A high quality of life. An island on the Lérez, opposite a remarkable cable-stayed bridge dating from 1995 (the Tirantes Bridge , the Strap Bridge ) and next to the modern Pontevedra Auditorium and Convention Centre shelters the city's green lung, the famous Island of Sculptures park. It is a space where international artists such as Robert Morris , Ulrich Rückriem , Anne and Patrick Poirier , Giovanni Anselmo , Richard Long , Ian Hamilton Finlay or Jenny Holzer have left their works. Another large park,
672-406: A lavish exterior contrasting with a relatively simple interior and multiple spaces. They carefully planned lighting in the interior to give an impression of mystery. Early 18th century, Notable Spanish examples included the new west façade of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral , (1738–50), with its spectacular towers, by Fernando de Casas Novoa . In Seville , Leonardo de Figueroa was the creator of
768-461: A pedestrian city centre, which includes the old town and the city centre or first urban expansion area with streets such as General Gutiérrez Mellado and Daniel de la Sota among many others and squares such as Glorieta de Compostela or Concepción Arenal , which, together with parks such as Las Palmeras (the Palm Trees Park) and squares, make the city very pleasant to walk in and give it
864-399: A result, 65% of trips in the city centre are made on foot. Pontevedra was recognized in 2016 as one of the 15 best cycling cities in the world. The urban model of the city of Pontevedra follows the models of other European cities such as Amsterdam , Bruges or Copenhagen . The urban transformation of Pontevedra and measures to reduce motorized traffic in the city centre have reduced by 67%
960-567: A total of 4818 foreigners resided in the city, of which, by continent, the most important were citizens of America mainly from South America and especially from Venezuela , Colombia and Brazil , although also from Peru , Argentina , Dominican Republic and United States and citizens from Europe , mainly citizens from other European Union countries, such as Portugal , Italy , Romania , United Kingdom , France and Germany . Behind them are African citizens, mainly from Morocco and Senegal , and Asians from China . Pontevedra has
1056-443: A total population of 83,260 (as of 2020). This results in a relative high density of population of 710.1 inhabitants per square kilometre. More than two-thirds of the population live in the city, and less than one-third in the rural parishes. The population of Pontevedra is aging, with generational replacement is not necessarily assured, although the city's population has been gradually growing since 1999. Broken down by age, 15.93% of
SECTION 10
#17330847900291152-463: A wide popular audience. One of the first Baroque architects, Carlo Maderno , used Baroque effects of space and perspective in the new façade and colonnade of Saint Peter's Basilica , which was designed to contrast with and complement the gigantic dome built earlier by Michelangelo . Other influential early examples in Rome included the Church of the Gesù by Giacomo della Porta (consecrated 1584), with
1248-729: Is San Cristobal de las Casas in Mexico. A notable example in Brazil is the São Bento Monastery in Rio de Janeiro . begun in 1617, with additional decoration after 1668. The Metropolitan Tabernacle the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral , to the right of the main cathedral, built by Lorenzo Rodríguez between 1749 and 1760, to house the archives and vestments of the archbishop, and to receive visitors. Portuguese colonial architecture
1344-713: Is a highly decorative and theatrical style which appeared in Italy in the late 16th century and gradually spread across Europe. It was originally introduced by the Catholic Church , particularly by the Jesuits , as a means to combat the Reformation and the Protestant church with a new architecture that inspired surprise and awe. It reached its peak in the High Baroque (1625–1675), when it
1440-522: Is a major military and commercial harbour 7 km away. The Pontevedra marina is close to the old town and the commercial and fishing port of Marín and Ria de Pontevedra , 5 kilometres west of the city centre. Thanks to a remarkable old town , the surrounding landscape and its former medieval port, Pontevedra has been defined as a "charming city" and "an authentic Galician city". Tourist attractions include many religious and civil buildings as well as picturesque medieval squares. The medieval squares of
1536-508: Is about 20 km (12 mi) wide from north to south. The city sits at the end of the ria that bears its name, occupying the valleys of the Lérez and Tomeza rivers. It extends southwards to the mouth of river Verdugo in Ponte Sampaio. It is surrounded by four mountainous regions divided by two faults , one stretching north–south and one from northeast to southwest. To the north it borders
1632-529: Is marked by a large presence of administrative services ( provincial Administrative Complex and provincial branches of the central government ), justice ( provincial court and provincial judicial complex ), political ( Pontevedra provincial council , provincial government delegation ), military (provincial defence delegation, BRILAT) and cultural ( Pontevedra Museum , Pontevedra Auditorium and Convention Centre , Principal Theatre , faculty of Fine Arts , Afundación cultural centre , Café Moderno ). The name of
1728-428: Is rainy, especially at the end of autumn and winter, with an annual average precipitation of 1,700 to 1,900 millimetres (66.9 to 74.8 in), and around 134 rainy days per year. Summer is drier, generally speaking, making Pontevedra the sunniest city in Galicia with 2248 hours of sunshine per year. The municipality of Pontevedra is composed of the city of Pontevedra and fifteen rural parishes in close proximity, with
1824-521: Is subject to occasional Atlantic storms in winter. These are characterised by a quick drop in temperature, rain and gales. With eleven of the twelve months above 10 °C (50 °F) Pontevedra is in the maritime subtropical climate zone under the Trewartha climate classification , a classification it falls short of under the Köppen classification due to the cool summer nights. Overall Pontevedra, as Galicia,
1920-524: Is the capital of both the Comarca and Province of Pontevedra , and the capital of the Rías Baixas . It is also the capital of its own municipality which is often considered an extension of the actual city. The city is best known for its urban planning , pedestrianisation and the charm of its old town . Between 2013 and 2020, the city received numerous awards for its urban planning, like
2016-633: Is the city with the youngest population in Galicia and northwest Spain and the Galician city that attracts the most people to live in, together with Santiago de Compostela. It is the Galician city with the best rate of natural increase (RNI). According to the 2001 census, 29.6% of the population have Galician as their mother tongue, where 32.1% speak it "often". The remaining 38.3% speak Castilian as their native language or speak mostly in Castilian In 2022,
SECTION 20
#17330847900292112-408: Is very lively, to which the atmosphere of the many Galician taverns and tapas bars contributes. Plaza de la Pedreira The Stone Quarry square is so called because of the stone-cutting activities developed here by stonemasons for the city's works and constructions. Also called Plaza of Mugartegui, because of the baroque mansion in its center. Baroque architecture Baroque architecture
2208-583: The Xunqueira de Alba , is located near the Burgo district, in front of the tied-arch bridge Currents Bridge , inaugurated in 2012. The capital of the province of Pontevedra has become one of the most pedestrianised cities in Spain. The old city and much of the city centre are pedestrianized, so that in these neighbourhoods, motorized transport is limited to residents and services. In 1999 Pontevedra began its transformation process by pedestrianizing its old town . In
2304-399: The A Coruña - Tui railway and motorway corridor. Pontevedra bus station has multiple connections with other cities in Spain, Galicia and abroad. Pontevedra railway station is located between the Galician capital Santiago de Compostela (58 km to the north) and the largest Galician municipality, Vigo (30 km to the south). Renfe also has a Pontevedra-University railway stop in
2400-708: The Baroque Church of the Pilgrim Virgin (18th century) with its rounded façade, the ruins of the Gothic Convent of San Domingo (13th century), the Gothic Church of San Francisco (13th century), the Baroque Church of San Bartholomew (end of the 17th century) and the Gothic Convent of Santa Clare (14th century). Its old town also contains numerous noble houses with coat of arms (the 15th century House of
2496-701: The Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and the Wurzburg Residence (1749–51). These works were among the final expressions of the Rococo or the Late Baroque. By the early 18th century, Baroque buildings could be found in all parts of Italy, often with regional variations. Notable examples included the Basilica of Superga , overlooking Turin , by Filippo Juvarra (1717–1731), which was later used as model for
2592-527: The Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and the Würzburg Residence (1749–51). Baroque architecture first appeared in the late 16th and early 17th century in religious architecture in Rome as a means to counter the popular appeal of the Protestant Reformation . It was a reaction against the more severe and academic earlier style of earlier churches, it aimed to inspire the common people with
2688-656: The Church of Saint Augustine, Antwerp . Other churches are for example the St. Charles Borromeo Church, Antwerp (1615-1621) and the St. Walburga Church (Bruges) (1619-1641), both built by Pieter Huyssens . Later, secular buildings, such as the Guildhalls on the Grand-Place in Brussels and several Belfries , were constructed too. The first example of early Baroque in Central Europe
2784-851: The Churrigueresque style. The Baroque style was imported into Latin America in the 17th century by the Spanish and the Portuguese, particularly by the Jesuits for the construction of churches. The style was sometimes called Churrigueresque , after the family of Baroque architects in Salamanca . A particularly fine example is Zacatecas Cathedral in Zacatecas City , in north-central Mexico, with its lavishly sculpted façade and twin bell towers. Another important example
2880-456: The Daily Express and The Guardian ( United Kingdom ). As regards public transport, Pontevedra has two urban bus lines in the city centre: There is also a high frequency urban bus service between Pontevedra and Marín, which is located in the metropolitan area of Pontevedra and with which the city forms a virtual urban continuum. Pontevedra is well connected by road and rail. It sits on
2976-516: The Luxembourg Palace (1615–1624) by architect Salomon de Brosse , and for a new wing of the Château of Blois by François Mansard (1635–38). Nicolas Fouquet , the superintendent of finances for the young King Louis XIV , chose the new style for his château at Vaux-le-Vicomte (1612–1670) by Louis Le Vau . He was later imprisoned by the King because of the extravagant cost of the palace. In
Autovía A-57 - Misplaced Pages Continue
3072-591: The Luxembourg Palace (1615–45) built by Salomon de Brosse for Marie de' Medici was an early example of the style. The High Baroque (1625–1675) produced major works in Rome by Pietro da Cortona, including the (Church of Santi Luca e Martina ) (1635–50); by Francesco Borromini ( San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (1634–1646)); and by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (The colonnade of St. Peter's Square ) (1656–57). In Venice , High Baroque works included Santa Maria della Salute by Baldassare Longhena . Examples in France included
3168-659: The Palacio de San Telmo , with a façade inspired by the Italian Baroque. The most ornate works of the Spanish Baroque were made by Jose Benito de Churriguera in Madrid and Salamanca. In his work, the buildings are nearly overwhelmed by the ornament of gilded wood, gigantic twisting columns, and sculpted vegetation. His two brothers, Joaquin and Alberto, also made important, if less ornamented, contributions to what became known simply as
3264-757: The Panthéon in Paris. The Stupinigi Palace (1729–31) was a hunting lodge and one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy near Turin. It was also built Filippo Juvarra . The Late Baroque period in France saw the evolving decoration of the Palace of Versailles , including the Hall of Mirrors and the Chapel . Later in the period, during the reign of Louis XV , a new, more ornate variant,
3360-700: The Pavillon de l’Horloge of the Louvre Palace by Jacques Lemercier (1624–1645), the Chapel of the Sorbonne by Jacques Lemercier (1626–35) and the Château de Maisons by François Mansart (1630–1651). The Late Baroque (1675–1750) saw the style spread to all parts of Europe, and to the colonies of Spain and Portugal in the New World. National styles became more varied and distinct. The Late Baroque in France, under Louis XIV ,
3456-663: The Rocaille style, or French Rococo, appeared in Paris and flourished between about 1723 and 1759. The most prominent example was the salon of the Princess in Hôtel de Soubise in Paris, designed by Germain Boffrand and Charles-Joseph Natoire (1735–40). Christopher Wren was the leading figure of the late Baroque in England, with his reconstruction of St. Paul's Cathedral (1675–1711) inspired by
3552-746: The Southern Netherlands , the Baroque architecture was introduced by the Catholic Church in the context of the Counter-Reformation and the Eighty Years' War . After the separation of the Netherlands Baroque churches were set up across the country. One of the first architects was Wenceslas Cobergher (1560-1634), who built the Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel from 1609 until 1627 and
3648-455: The old town , the city centre-Ensanche , O Burgo , Campolongo , A Moureira , Mollavao , Monte Porreiro , A Parda , A Seca, Valdecorvos , Salgueiriños, Gorgullón. The residential area of A Caeira, although officially located in the municipality of Poio , is often considered as just another neighbourhood of Pontevedra since the vast majority of the residents work in Pontevedra and relate to
3744-415: The old town of Pontevedra and those of its first urban expansion stand out as small rooms with regular and geometric proportions. Many of them evoke with their trade names the activities that took place centuries ago: Plaza of firewood, vegetables, the stone quarry, the blacksmith's, the quay... Plaza de la Herrería Blacksmith's square is the main square of the city; it is the most popular because of
3840-607: The 12th century Burgo bridge that remains in place today. The name of the town derives from the Latin pontem veteram , which means "old bridge" and refers to the first bridge that the Romans built to cross the Lérez River and the Ria de Pontevedra . However, nowadays there are historians who say that since in ancient Latin, ponto (pontus) meant sea and vedra means green, its name could be due to
3936-528: The 1990s contributed further to the growth of the city. Since 1999 Pontevedra has seen intense urban renewal and cultural revival, positively influencing the local economy. In the 21st century the city of Pontevedra has undergone both a cultural renaissance and an urban transformation, taking in the pedestrianisation of the city centre, extension of cycle lanes, recovery of the historical and natural heritage, rehabilitation of buildings and public spaces, and an increase in green areas and pedestrian walkways. Unlike
Autovía A-57 - Misplaced Pages Continue
4032-566: The Award of the Center of Active Design in New York City in 2015. Pontevedra's model for responsible mobility is currently seen as an international reference. The municipality of Pontevedra is located between 42°20' and 42°30' north and 8°33' and 8°41' west, in the southwestern Galician coast, an area popularly known as Rias Baixas . The municipality covers 118.3 km (45.7 sq mi) and
4128-713: The Bells or the 18th century García Flórez Palace ), mansions – the Mendoza Mansion , Villa Pilar – as well as old palaces such as the 18th century Mugartegui Palace , which is now the headquarters of the Rias Baixas Wine Regulatory Council , or the Counts of Maceda Palace , which is now a Parador . Another major symbol of the city is the Ravachol Parrot , whose statue is in the city centre. The city also has
4224-423: The Italian Jesuit architect Giovanni Maria Bernardoni . Pope Urban VIII , who occupied the Papacy from 1623 to 1644, became the most influential patron of the Baroque style. After the death of Carlo Maderno in 1629, Urban named the architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini as the chief Papal architect. Bernini created not only Baroque buildings, but also Baroque interiors, squares and fountains, transforming
4320-421: The King, in charge of all royal architectural projects. The Académie royale d'architecture was founded in 1671, with the mission of making Paris, not Rome, the artistic and architectural model for the world. The first architectural project of Louis XIV was a proposed reconstruction of the façade of the east wing of the Louvre Palace. Bernini , then Europe's most famous architect, was summoned to Paris to submit
4416-413: The Pilgrim Virgin , built for the pilgrims in the 18th century, has a floor plan in the shape of a scallop shell and there are scallop shells sculpted in the arches of the medieval Burgo Bridge . Pontevedra city has an important group of squares of medieval origin and monumental religious buildings, including the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (16th century) with its plateresque Renaissance façade,
4512-521: The architect Jacques Lemercier to Rome between 1607 and 1614 to study the new style. On his return to France, he designed the Pavillon de l’Horloge of the Louvre Palace (beginning 1626), and, more importantly, the Sorbonne Chapel , the first church dome in Paris. It was designed in 1626, and construction began in 1635. The next important French Baroque project was a much larger dome for the church of Val-de-Grâce begun in 1645 by Lemercier and François Mansart , and finished in 1715. A third Baroque dome
4608-407: The center of Rome into an enormous theater. Bernini rebuilt the Church of Santa Bibiana and the Church of San Sebastiano al Palatino on the Palatine Hill into Baroque landmarks, planned the Fontana del Tritone in the Piazza Barberini , and created the soaring baldacchino as the centerpiece of St Peter's Basilica . The High Baroque spread gradually across Italy, beyond Rome. The period saw
4704-416: The city is likely a Latin composite of pons, pontis (bridge) and veter, vetera, veterum (old, long established). In Galicia, Latin pons , a masculine word, became feminine, hence Vulgar Latin Ponte Vetera , which became by the 13th century the modern Galician language toponymy Pontevedra , "the old bridge", in reference to an old Roman bridge across the Lérez River which had been located near
4800-499: The city is located on the edge of a ria at the mouth of the Lérez river by the sea, at the end of the Ria de Pontevedra , in the heart of the Rías Baixas . An economic centre and tourist destination, with a population of 83,260 in 2020, it is at the head of a metropolitan area around its ria of more than 200,000 inhabitants comprising the municipalities of Poio , Marín , Sanxenxo , Bueu , Vilaboa , Cerdedo-Cotobade , Ponte Caldelas , Barro and Soutomaior . Pontevedra has
4896-459: The city to serve the A Xunqueira university campus and the Monte Porreiro , Tafisa and A Seca neighbourhoods. Pontevedra city itself does not have an airport in its municipality but the city is relatively close to the airports of Lavacolla to the north (in the municipality of Santiago de Compostela) and Peinador to the south (in the municipalities of Redondela, Mos and Vigo). A good network of roads and motorways efficiently connects Pontevedra with
SECTION 50
#17330847900294992-475: The city with the rest of the country, after having lost its harbour. All in all, Pontevedra sees in this century a cultural, economic and urban revival. It is in Pontevedra when, in 1853, Xoán Manuel Pintos publishes the first book in modern Galician , A gaita gallega . Pontevedra entered the 20th century with great prospects. The city was at the heart of Galician culture and politics. Galicianists – such as Alexandre Bóveda and Castelao – took up residence in
5088-413: The city, where in 1931 they founded the Partido Galeguista ("Galicianist Party"), the origin of contemporary Galician nationalism . However, the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) and subsequent Francoist dictatorship (1939–1975) suddenly ended Pontevedra's progression. Political repression and economic hardships forced many to emigrate. In the 1940s–1960s the government of the Franco dictatorship granted
5184-412: The city. Pontevedra has a humid oceanic climate ( Köppen Cfb ). The average temperature is 15 °C (59 °F), with a daily average of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) in January and 20.5 °C (68.9 °F) in July. These are unusually mild for a city so far north, and are due to Pontevedra's proximity to the sea and to the moderating effect of the ria . Yet, like all the Galician coast, Pontevedra
5280-456: The colonies of Spain and Portugal in the New World and the Philippines. It often took different names, and the regional variations became more distinct. A particularly ornate variant appeared in the early 18th century, called Rocaille in France and Rococo in Spain and Central Europe. The sculpted and painted decoration covering every space on the walls and ceiling. The most prominent architects of this style included Balthasar Neumann , noted for
5376-420: The construction of Santa Maria della Salute by Baldassare Longhena in Venice (1630–31). Churches were not the only buildings to use the Baroque style. One of the finest monuments of the early Baroque is the Barberini Palace (1626–1629), the residence of the family of Urban VIII, begun by Carlo Maderno, and completed and decorated by Bernini and Francesco Borromini . The outside of the Pope's family residence,
5472-448: The daily crowds. With arches in two of its ends, with the gardens of the Plaza of Orense and the Herrería fountain at the corner of the church and convent of St. Francis . It is lined with camellias typical of the Rias Baixas . It owes its name to the blacksmiths who, in the 15th century, tempered the iron in the ovens and forges of its arcades for the weapons and paving stones that the Catholic Monarchs had asked them to manufacture. It
5568-408: The decline of the city, a decline which had already started for the rest of Galicia from the end of the 15th century. The situation would worsen during the 17th and 18th centuries. The port drastically reduced its activity due to the mentioned geographical causes. Furthermore, political decisions and dynastic conflicts provoked a general decay in trade, thus resulting in the depopulation of the city;
5664-450: The effects of surprise, emotion and awe. To achieve this, it used a combination of contrast, movement, trompe-l'œil and other dramatic and theatrical effects, such as quadratura —the use of painted ceilings that gave the illusion that one was looking up directly at the sky. The new style was particularly favored by the new religious orders, including the Theatines and the Jesuits , who built new churches designed to attract and inspire
5760-598: The emissions of CO 2 from fossil fuels in the capital since 1999 and have been reported by foreign and French television channels such as France 2 , France 3 , Canal+ or TF1 and the Swiss channel Radio Télévision Suisse RTS and other foreign televisions like Das Erste , NDR1 and ZDF in Germany, MBC TV in South Korea, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Canada or Seven Network in Australia. The city has also been featured in reports by English-language channels and publications such as Bloomberg Television , Fast Company and Outrider ( United States ) or
5856-408: The eventual closure of some of them. With the end of the dictatorship in 1975 the construction sector also developed. Improvements in the communications network during the 1980s and 1990s helped Pontevedra to regain weight in the Rias Baixas region, acting again as a trade hub and focusing on its administrative functions as provincial capital. The introduction of university studies in the city during
SECTION 60
#17330847900295952-406: The façade. On the east side, overlooking Royal Street , there is a stone fountain with night lighting. Plaza de la Leña The Firewood Square is the most representative and picturesque typical Galician square in Galicia. With a calvary in its centre and popular houses with arcades on one side and the Baroque houses of the Pontevedra Museum on the other. It owes its name to the firewood that
6048-468: The façades of the new palace were constructed around the earlier Marble Court between 1668 and 1678. The Baroque grandeur of Versailles, particularly the façade facing the garden and the Hall of Mirrors by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, became models for other palaces across Europe. During the period of the Late Baroque (1675–1750), the style appeared across Europe, from England and France to Central Europe and Russia, from Spain and Portugal to Scandinavia, and in
6144-439: The first Baroque façade and a highly ornate interior, and Santa Susanna (1603), by Carlo Maderno. The Jesuits soon imported the style to Paris. The Church of St-Gervais-et-St-Protais in Paris (1615–1621) had the first Baroque façade in France, featuring, like the Italian Baroque façades, the three superimposed classical orders. The Italian style of palaces was also imported to Paris by Marie de' Medici for her new residence,
6240-575: The first half of the 18th century a distinctive Vilnian Baroque architectural style of the Late Baroque was formed in capital Vilnius (in which architecture was taught at Vilnius Jesuit Academy , Jesuits colleges , Dominican schools ) and spread throughout Lithuania. The most distinctive features of churches built in the Vilnian Baroque style are very tall and slender towers of the main façades with differently decorated compartments, undulation of cornices and walls, decorativeness in bright colors, and multi-colored marble and stucco altars in
6336-402: The following years, the city centre and some other streets on the outskirts of Pontevedra were pedestrianised too. In 2010, Pontevedra was the first provincial capital in Spain to reduce the maximum speed in the city centre to 30 kilometres per hour and in 2019 to 10 kilometres per hour in the city centre. In Pontevedra, the Metrominuto pedestrian plan was created for urban mobility, which with
6432-399: The initial settlement was probably formed during the integration of Gallaecia (old Galicia) into the Roman Empire (circa 1st century BC)(Reference is required). The current name of the city is a Latin composite, derived from Pons/Pontis (bridge) and Veteris/Vetera (old), hence Ponte(m)Vetera(m) , and thence Galician language Ponte-Vedra , "the old bridge", in reference to
6528-673: The interiors. The Lithuanian nobility funded renovations and constructions of Late Baroque churches, monasteries (e.g. Pažaislis Monastery ) and their personal palaces (e.g. Sapieha Palace , Slushko Palace , Minor Radvilos Palace ). Notable architects who built buildings in a Late Baroque style in Lithuania are Johann Christoph Glaubitz , Thomas Zebrowski , Pietro Perti (cooperated with painters Michelangelo Palloni , Giovanni Maria Galli ), Giambattista Frediani, Pietro Puttini, Carlo Puttini, Jan Zaor , G. Lenkiewicz, Abraham Würtzner, Jan Valentinus Tobias Dyderszteyn, P. I. Hofer, Paolo Fontana [ it ] , etc. Many of
6624-424: The international European Intermodes Urban Mobility Award in 2013, the 2014 Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development awarded by UN-Habitat in partnership with Dubai Municipality and the Excellence Award of the center for Active Design in New York City in 2015, among others. The city also won the European Commission 's first prize for urban safety in 2020. Surrounded by hills,
6720-487: The landmarks of the high Baroque. Another important monument of the period was the Church of Santi Luca e Martina in Rome by Pietro da Cortona (1635–50), in the form of a Greek cross with an elegant dome. After the death or Urban VIII and the brief reign of his successor, the Papacy of Pope Alexander VII from 1666 until 1667 saw more construction of Baroque churches, squares and fountains in Rome by Carlo Rainaldi , Bernini and Carlo Fontana . King Louis XIII had sent
6816-401: The leading Baroque architect was Christoph Dientzenhofer , whose building featured complex curves and counter-curves and elliptical forms, making Prague , like Vienna, a capital of the late Baroque. Political and economic crises in the 17th century largely delayed the arrival of the Baroque in Spain until the late period, though the Jesuits strongly promoted it. Its early characteristics were
6912-529: The model of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, his plan for Greenwich Hospital (begun 1695), and Hampton Court Palace (1690–96). Other British figures of the late Baroque included Inigo Jones for Wilton House (1632–1647 and two pupils of Wren, John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor , for Castle Howard (1699–1712) and Blenheim Palace (1705–1724). In the 17th century Late Baroque style buildings in Lithuania were built in an Italian Baroque style , however in
7008-739: The most extraordinary buildings of the Late Baroque were constructed in Austria, Germany, and Czechia. In Austria, the leading figure was Fischer von Erlach , who built the Karlskirche , the largest church of Vienna , to glorify the Habsburg emperors. These works sometimes borrowed elements from Versailles combined with elements of the Italian Baroque to create grandiose new effects, as in the Schwarzenberg Palace (1715). Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt used grand stairways and ellipses to achieve his effects at
7104-581: The most important points of the city and the time it takes to travel them. The Metrominuto has been used as a model in other European cities such as Toulouse in France, Florence , Ferrara Modena and Cagliari in Italy, Poznań in Poland and the Angel district in London. In Spain, it has inspired other cities such Zaragoza , Seville , Cádiz , Salamanca , Granada , Jerez de la Frontera , A Coruña and Pamplona . As
7200-566: The municipalities of Barro , Moraña and Campo Lameiro ; to the east, Cotobade and Ponte Caldelas ; to the south, Soutomaior , Vilaboa and Marín , and to the west, Poio and the ria, leading to the Atlantic Ocean. The main parroquias (parishes) of Pontevedra are: Alba, Bora, Campañó, A Canicouva, Cerponzóns, Estribela, Lérez, Lourizán, Marcón, Mourente, Ponte Sampaio, Salcedo, San Xosé, Santa María de Xeve, Tomeza, Verducido, Xeve. The neighbourhoods or main areas of Pontevedra are:
7296-433: The northern Galician city of A Coruña to Lisbon (Portugal). Likewise, Pontevedra will benefit from the high-speed train connecting Galicia and central Spain. That Galician connection will be fully operational in 2022. Despite the fact that Pontevedra was once the main Galician port, at present the Pontevedra harbour is only used for recreational purposes, not for cargo or passenger transportation. Neighbouring Marín
7392-457: The old Roman bridge across Lérez River. Well-connected since Roman times, Pontevedra consolidated itself as an intermediate town during the Suebic period (circa 5th–6th century AD). During the 12th century Pontevedra rose as an important commercial centre; it reached its zenith in the 15th century as a trade and communications hub. Pontevedra was the main Galician urban centre. In fact, Pontevedra has
7488-483: The other Galician cities, and also with Portugal (55 km to the south), and inland (100 km to the eastern city of Ourense ). Regular bus lines link Pontevedra with other Galician cities and towns, as well as with Madrid , Porto and Lisbon (among others). The AVE high-speed train (in Spanish Tren de alta velocidad , or TAV) reaches Pontevedra and the city is a stop on the " Atlantic Line ", running from
7584-487: The other six large cities of Galicia, which have lost inhabitants to neighboring municipalities, Pontevedra's population is currently increasing. It has become one of the most accessible cities for disabled people, receiving a national prize for this in 2006, along with the international European INTERMODES Urban Mobility Award in 2013, the 2014 Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development awarded by UN-Habitat in partnership with Dubai Municipality and
7680-520: The particular greenness of the sea caused by the seaweed tides, being the meaning of the name of the city that of the green sea . A local legend relates the foundation of Pontevedra to Teucer , hero of the Trojan War , a legend which was reinforced with the suspicion that Greek traders might have arrived to the Rias Baixas area in ancient times. However, historians and archaeologists tend to agree that
7776-422: The population was reduced in half during that time, also affected by epidemics. In the beginning of the 19th century fishing, arts and crafts kept the economy going. With the establishment of new provincial division in 1833 Pontevedra saw itself transformed into a provincial capital. The city then grew and became an administrative, cultural and commercial centre. The introduction of the railway also reconnected
7872-406: The population were senior citizens, 69% between 15 and 65 years, and just 15.01% under the 15 years of age. The natality rate (9.8‰) is only +1.8 over the mortality rate (8‰). The migrational balance is slightly positive (+350 people in 2006). According to the local authorities Pontevedra is, since 1999, the fastest growing Galician city, with an average of +1000 more inhabitants per year. Pontevedra
7968-518: The second largest "old town" in Galicia, only after Santiago de Compostela . Pontevedra was on the route of the Way of Saint James , namely its southern or the Portuguese Way . The Church of the Pilgrim Virgin , with its distinctive scallop-shaped floor plan, is a destination for tourists and pilgrims. In the 16th century it still was a commercial city, with an increase in fishing. At that time, Pontevedra
8064-498: The second most important historic center in Galicia , after Santiago de Compostela . A city of art and history, the city is known as The Good City (name attributed by the French author Jean Froissart in his Chronicles in the 14th century) or The City of the Lérez . The city is also an important stopover on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago : the circular church of
8160-557: The upper and lower Belvedere Palace in Vienna (1714–1722). In The Abbey of Melk , Jakob Prandtauer used an abundance of polychrome marble and stucco, statuary and ceiling paintings to achieve harmonious and highly theatrical effects. Another important figure of German Baroque was Balthasar Neumann (1687–1753), whose works included the Würzburg Residence for the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg , with its famous staircase. In Bohemia ,
8256-415: The urban transformation of the city has won many national and international awards such as the international European INTERMODES Urban Mobility Award in 2013 and the 2014 Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development awarded by UN-Habitat in partnership with Dubai Municipality . The Metrominuto is a map based on the aesthetics of metro maps, which marks the pedestrian distances between
8352-558: The use of quadratura (i.e. trompe-l'œil painting combined with sculpture): the eye is drawn upward, giving the illusion that one is looking into the heavens. Clusters of sculpted angels and painted figures crowd the ceiling. Light was also used for dramatic effect; it streamed down from cupolas , and was reflected from an abundance of gilding . Twisted columns were also often used, to give an illusion of upwards motion, and cartouches and other decorative elements occupied every available space. In Baroque palaces, grand stairways became
8448-457: The walls, very close to the Trabancas gate of the old Pontevedra wall. This is where the pillory where the prisoners were executed was located. Teucer square With perfect geometric dimensions and framed by orange trees, it is surrounded by noble buildings, with the 18th century Gago and Montenegro Palace standing out on the north side, where the great coat of arms of 1716 is to be seen on
8544-433: Was more ordered and classical; examples included the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles and the dome of Les Invalides . An especially ornate variant, appeared in the early 18th century; it was first called Rocaille in France; then Rococo in Spain and Central Europe. The sculpted and painted decoration covered every space on the walls and ceiling. Its most celebrated architect was Balthasar Neumann , noted for
8640-514: Was relatively restrained, but the interiors, and especially the immense fresco on the ceiling of the salon, the Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power painted by Pietro da Cortona , are considered masterpieces of Baroque art and decoration. Curving façades and the illusion of movement were a speciality of Francesco Borromini, most notably in San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (1634–1646), one of
8736-606: Was sold here in the past to heat Pontevedra's kitchens. Plaza de la Verdura Regularly proportioned, on the Vegetables square there are houses with coats of arms and a 19th-century forge fountain. This is where the House of Light is located, which commemorates the fact that Pontevedra was the first Galician city to have electricity in the 19th century. Today it is the headquarters of the Pontevedra Tourist Office. The square
8832-577: Was soon added for the Collège des Quatre-Nations (now the Institut de France ). In 1661, following the death of Cardinal Mazarin , the young Louis XIV took direct charge of the government. The arts were put under the direction of his Controller-General of Finances , Jean-Baptiste Colbert . Charles Le Brun , director of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture , was named Superintendent of Buildings of
8928-832: Was the Corpus Christi Church, Nesvizh in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth , built by the Jesuits on the Roman model between 1586 and 1593 in Nieśwież (after 1945 Niasvizh in Belarus). The church also holds a distinction of being the first domed basilica with a Baroque façade in the Commonwealth and Eastern Europe. Another early example in Poland is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul Church, Kraków , built between 1597 and 1619 by
9024-414: Was the largest Galician port , as it was a secure port open to the sea. One of Christopher Columbus ' ships, the carrack Santa Maria , originally named La Gallega ("The Galician"), was built in Pontevedra. It was in centuries later that the sedimentation caused by Lérez river gradually rendered the harbour unsuitable for large-scale navigation. The end of the 16th century marked the beginning of
9120-529: Was the place where the Feira Franca was held, granted to the city by King Henry IV. Here you will find the historic Carabela coffee shop, and other traditional coffees such as Savoy. Plaza de la Peregrina In the heart of the pedestrian centre of Pontevedra, the Pilgrim Virgin Square is the city's main meeting point. It is presided over by the Church of the Pilgrim Virgin and was located outside
9216-747: Was used in churches and palaces in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Bavaria and Austria. In the Late Baroque period (1675–1750), it reached as far as Russia, the Ottoman Empire and the Spanish and Portuguese colonies in Latin America. In about 1730, an even more elaborately decorative variant called Rococo appeared and flourished in Central Europe. Baroque architects took the basic elements of Renaissance architecture , including domes and colonnades , and made them higher, grander, more decorated, and more dramatic. The interior effects were often achieved with
#28971