Category: Military Architecture > Castle
District: Bragança > Freixo de Espada à Cinta > Poiares
Situated in the parish of Poiares, municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, the castle stands on a hill at approximately 700 meters of altitude, dominating the Douro valley. Around it, the gently sloping hillsides covered with olive groves and Mediterranean scrub enhance the austerely beautiful presence of its ruins.
The rural surroundings offer an atmosphere of tranquility, with the rustle of the wind in the trees and the distant murmur of the river composing the scenery. The elevated position allows one to see, in the distance, vineyard terraces and the undulating line of the water, creating a natural and serene backdrop.
The origins of the site possibly date back to an ancient prehistoric castro (fortified settlement), later utilized for the construction of a medieval castle. The first documentary reference appears in June 1212, in the context of Leonese conquests in this border region.
During the reign of D. Sancho II, the site was handed over to the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, implying a change of inhabitants and a diversion of circulation routes. Over the following centuries, the village of Alva declined until it disappeared from official records in the 16th century, leaving only vestiges of the ancient fortification.
Of the schist walls that once delimited the small defensive enclosure, today only fragments of an oval-shaped wall and the vestige of a turret remain. These vestiges allow one to imagine the primitive organization of the space, with a main gate that opened onto an outer square.
Near the main entrance, the foundations of the old parish church dedicated to Santa Maria are also visible, with a longitudinal plan and irregular contours. The fusion of stone and vegetation gives the place a melancholic and evocative character.
At the highest point of the hill, the view extends over valleys dotted with olive groves, almond trees, and agricultural terraces that follow the banks of the Douro. The combination of colors and textures forms a natural mosaic of great softness.
Access is via quiet rural paths, providing direct contact with the local flora and the typical tranquility of the Trás-os-Montes interior. The environment invites moments of contemplation and discovery, without rush or crowds.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_de_Alva
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.05144224823952,-6.907556710981831
Coordinates DMS: 41°03'5.2"N 06°54'27.2"W
Weather Poiares
On-duty Pharmacy Poiares
