Tower of Penegate

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Braga > Vila Verde > Monte Maior > Penegate

Location

The Penegate Tower rises majestically in the locality of Monte Maior, parish of Penegate, in the municipality of Vila Verde, district of Braga. This imposing structure stands isolated on a small elevation, dominating the surrounding landscape. Its strategic position allows for wide visibility over the fields and valleys, providing an environment of serene contemplation of the Minho nature. Upon approaching, it is its robust silhouette that captures attention, standing out in the verdant landscape that surrounds it.

Historical Memory

Dating back to the 13th century, the Penegate Tower constitutes an important testament to medieval defensive architecture in Northern Portugal. This tower played a crucial role in the system of vigilance and protection of the lands between the Cávado and Lima rivers, integrating a network of fortifications that marked the landscape of the era. It served as a manorial tower, linked to a local noble family, reflecting the power and importance of feudal lords in the territorial and defensive organization of the region. Its presence recalls times of instability and the need for control and vigilance over paths and properties.

Architectural Features

The Penegate Tower features a quadrangular, robust structure of great formal simplicity, characteristic of military constructions of its era. Built in granite masonry, its thick walls give it remarkable solidity, which has defied the centuries. Its few openings, mostly slits or small windows, emphasize its defensive function and fortress-like character. The austerity of its lines and the imposing nature of its granite mass transport the visitor to a distant past, where stone was the primary element of protection and a symbol of power and permanence.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_de_Penegate

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