Category: Military Architecture > Tower
District: Braga > Amares > Dornelas > Outeiro e Sobreiro
The Dornelas Tower is located in the locality of Dornelas, in the municipality of Amares, in a serene area known as Outeiro and Sobreiro. It is situated in a rural environment, dominated by cultivated fields and facing the valley, offering a tranquil landscape. Access to the site is via a narrow path, bordered by fields that are sometimes adorned with orange trees, inviting an authentic discovery experience in Minho.
This imposing vestige of the past probably dates back to the second half of the 13th century. Its construction is attributed to João Fernandes, known as the Frank, who erected it in the Honra de Dornelas, a domain received as a dowry. The Dornelas Tower thus constitutes a unique testimony to the medieval noble architecture of the region, marking the landscape with its secular presence.
The tower has a quadrangular shape, built with robust granite stonework, with its structure divided into three visible registers. Although currently in a ruined state and without a roof, it is still possible to observe various architectural elements that tell its story. Noteworthy are the pointed arch openings and the splayed loopholes, characteristic of its period of origin. Curiously, its main entrance is oriented towards the open field, in contrast to the old threshing floor where other more recent buildings of the old farm that surrounds it developed.
The Dornelas Tower, despite the marks of time, remains a landmark of great historical and heritage interest. Its relevance is recognized, being classified as an Imóvel de Interesse Público (IIP) since 1947 (Decree No. 36383). This recognition underscores the importance of preserving this remnant of a fortified noble house, which transports us to the experiences and structures of medieval Portugal.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.64262318, -8.33359506
Coordinates DMS: 41°38'33.4"N 08°20'0.9"W
On-duty Pharmacy Dornelas
