Ave River

The Ave is an 85-kilometre river in northern Portugal, draining roughly 1,390 km² before reaching the Atlantic south of Porto. Its most notable landmark is the Ponte São João, a surviving Roman bridge that marks the crossing as ancient in origin. The river's modern identity has been shaped largely by the textile industry that developed along its banks in the 19th century, leading to persistent industrial pollution that continues to affect water quality today and limits any meaningful recreational use.