Torre de São Martinho de Manhente

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Braga > Barcelos > Manhente

Location

Situated in the tranquil village of Manhente, in the municipality of Barcelos, the Tower of São Martinho stands in an area that evokes the serenity of Minho. Its position, connected to an ancient monastic complex, suggests a place of former strategic importance and observation over the surrounding landscape. Access to the site allows for an approach to a piece of Portuguese history, set in a peaceful, rural environment.

A Defensive Legacy Through Time

The Tower of São Martinho de Manhente is a remarkable remnant of an ancient monastery, whose roots possibly date back to the first half of the 10th century. The tower itself, with its robust quadrangular plan, was likely built with an eminently defensive purpose, functioning as a watchtower or a "tower-house." Its imposing presence underscores the role and power of the monastic complex in the Barcelos region during the Middle Ages. This singular architectural element was classified as a National Monument in 1915, acknowledging its undeniable historical and cultural value.

It is fascinating to discover details such as the possible authorship of "Gundisalvus magister," a master builder who, according to an inscription from 1117, was likely involved in the original construction. This type of record is rare and lends a personal touch to the tower's long history.

Architectural Details and Ancient Legacies

Observing the Tower of São Martinho is like delving into a stone book that reveals different eras. Its two-level structure features a top with pyramidal merlons and arrow slits, typical elements of a fortification. The portals and windows, designed with full and broken arches, reveal the transformations and adaptations it underwent over the centuries. However, what truly captivates are the reused elements in its construction.

Particularly noteworthy is a doorway that incorporates stones from a pre-Romanesque period, where an enigmatic cruz pátea (cross patée) can still be glimpsed. The technical quality and symbolic significance of this stone, which may date from the 10th or 11th century, underscore the site's antiquity and the continuous use of materials throughout different constructive phases. This superposition of styles and the reuse of ancestral elements make the tower a fascinating example of architecture that reinvents itself through time.

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