Oleiros Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Bragança > Mogadouro > Bemposta

Location:

Oleiros Castle stands in the locality of Bemposta, within the municipality of Mogadouro, in the district of Bragança. It is located at an altitude of 482 meters, dominating an exceptional landscape. Its placement on a rocky spur offers vast views over the Douro River, flowing at the foot of the cliffs, and over the rural surroundings, characteristic of the Douro International Natural Park.

This place, although rural and isolated, is defined by its proximity to the river, which winds through gorges and indentations. Its elevated position once allowed for strategic control of the natural border, facing the lands of Castile, making it a privileged observatory of the cross-border region.

Memories of a Fortified Settlement:

What we know today as Oleiros Castle is, in reality, a valuable archaeological site that reveals layers of history. Its origin dates back to an ancient castro, a prehistoric inhabited and fortified settlement, which was later occupied and remodelled by the Romans. In the 9th century, during the Reconquista, the site was reactivated and consolidated as a castle, given its strategic importance in border defence.

The protection offered by this fortress allowed for the growth of a community within its walls, which later led to the foundation of the nearby village of Urrós. However, after the border was stabilized with the Treaty of Alcanizes in 1297, the settlement was gradually abandoned. By the 16th century, it was already uninhabited, and the remains of the fortress suffered from the passage of time and conflicts, such as the Seven Years' War, which left them in ruins. The name "Oleiros" may be linked to "olheiros" (lookouts), meaning the watchers who were positioned here, or to the river gorges, sometimes called "olhos d'água" (water eyes).

The Vestiges of Antiquity:

At the site, visitors can observe the remnants of walls that once delimited the fortified settlement. These structures, of an approximately rectangular plan (about one hundred and thirty meters long by forty meters wide and two meters high), are built of schist, a material abundant in the region, joined with clay mortar. They are distinguished by their polygonal plan, somewhat less common in this Trás-os-Montes area.

Although part of the interior is covered by vegetation, it is possible to glimpse the alignments that indicate the presence of ancient dwellings. During archaeological investigations, various artifacts were discovered, including ceramic fragments, a silver sword, and gold and silver coins. Also noteworthy are eleven funerary stelae, some of which can be seen at the Bragança Municipal Museum, which underscores the historical relevance of the site. In recent years, between 2020 and 2023, Oleiros Castle benefited from conservation works, promoted by the Mogadouro Municipal Council, which aimed at its enhancement.

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