Category: Military Architecture > Castle
District: Bragança > Carrazeda de Ansiães > Ansiães > Alganhafres
The Castle of Ansiães rises majestically atop an isolated hilltop, north of the current village of Carrazeda de Ansiães, in the Bragança district, deep within Trás-os-Montes. Its elevated and dominant position, in the locality of Ansiães, once a vibrant settlement, bestows upon it a remarkable imposing presence over the surrounding landscape.
From this strategic point, visitors can enjoy a vast panoramic view over the fertile valleys and mountain ranges that stretch to the horizon, with vistas embracing the wild and rustic beauty of the region. The atmosphere on site is one of serene contemplation, marked by the spaciousness and the history etched into its rocks.
The history of this monument is profound, dating back to distant times, with vestiges suggesting human occupation since prehistory and Roman presence. However, it is in the Middle Ages that the Castle of Ansiães gained particular relevance, becoming a crucial strategic point in the defense and expansion of the territory during the Christian Reconquista.
It was the stage for important events, receiving its first charter from D. Sancho I in the 12th century, a vital document for the development and repopulation of the region. For centuries, the fortress was a center of life and power, sheltering a prosperous village within its walls. Its decline, however, led to the gradual abandonment of the original settlement, which moved to more accessible lands, making it a valuable testimony to a distant past.
The structure of the Castle of Ansiães reveals the typical characteristics of Portuguese medieval defensive architecture. Its robust walls, largely built of schist and granite masonry, define an irregular perimeter, perfectly adapted to the terrain's topography. Although part of them is in ruins, their imposing presence is still visible, testifying to their ancient function of protection and dominance.
Inside the walled enclosure, the remains of the Keep are distinguishable, the noblest and most defensive element of the fortification, once a symbol of seigneurial power. The Church of São Salvador, of Romanesque foundation, also remains, as do the foundations of old houses and a cistern, which allow visitors to imagine the daily life that unfolded there centuries ago.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_de_Ansiães
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.202871541836025, -7.305487931671739
Coordinates DMS: 41°12'10.3"N 07°18'19.8"W
On-duty Pharmacy Ansiães
