Until 1515, the western margin of the Ribeira Grande river was occupied by just two homes. A few years later, from a land record of 4 July 1520, there was a contract for stone to build a bridge alongside the main square, awarded to Fernão Álvares. Budgeted for 400.000 reais, the completed bridge was described as having one large arch with a 12 "côvados" span, equivalent to span, and width of 22 "palms", equivalent to , built of the "best stonework that was found around the town, and well worked".