Since the middle ages, from the beginning of the movement of pilgrims to the tomb of the Apostle Saint James, which was renamed Portuguese Path of pilgrimage to Santiago, Ponte de Lima became mandatory crossing point of all that old secular way and calcorreavam that led to the obtaining of indulgence, symbolized by the "Compostela".

Having regard to the duties and responsibilities of the municipality of Ponte de Lima to proceed to the dissemination of the cultural heritage, historical, religious and landscape of the County, as well as by the privileged position that Ponte de Lima holds is created the pilgrims hostel Ponte de Lima.