Torre da Mota

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Braga > Póvoa de Lanhoso > Campos e Louredo > Rego

Location

Situated in the place of Rego, in the Union of Parishes of Campos and Louredo, municipality of Póvoa de Lanhoso, the Tower of Mota stands in a predominantly rural environment. It is isolated within a private property, in a position overlooking the Ave River. The surroundings are marked by a verdant landscape of meadows and vineyards, inviting a peaceful observation of its structure within the natural context.

Past and Resilience

The history of the Tower of Mota dates back to the 15th century, with its original construction certified by D. Afonso V in 1450. However, by the beginning of the 18th century, the building was in ruins. Its current appearance is mainly due to a remarkable reconstruction, carried out in 1722, at the initiative of Manuel Coelho de Vasconcelos e Mota, who used stones from the old tower. This work gave it the Baroque characteristics we can observe today. Later in the 20th century, in 1945, the tower underwent another restoration, keeping its memory and presence alive in the Ave valley. Currently, the space is vacant, preserving the marks of a rich past.

Characteristic Features

The Tower of Mota is an example of residential civil architecture, featuring a robust quadrangular plan and a predominantly vertical volume. Its facades, made of pseudo-isodomic ashlar granite, are divided into three registers. Notable features include its pilastered quoins, Tuscan pilasters, and the cornice that tops the structure, crowned by merlons and gargoyles at the corners, elements typical of the Baroque period.

On the main facade, facing north, a coat of arms of the Mota Coelho family, adorned with volutes, captures attention, displaying a quartered shield with five fleurs-de-lis and a lion. In the last register of this facade, two blind circular openings flank the door, contributing to its unique aesthetic. On the west facade, a stone staircase, with fifteen steps, allows exterior access to the second register, offering an interesting perspective of the construction.

Interior Environment

Upon entering the Tower of Mota, it is possible to observe what remains of its formerly residential environment. The interior walls are plastered and painted white, and the windows reveal conversadeiras, the typical stone seats integrated into the openings. The ceilings are made of wood, as are the floors of the upper stories, while the ground floor still retains its earthen floor. Communication between the different floors was ensured by a wooden staircase, with two flights, inviting imagination about the life that unfolded there over the centuries.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt