Castle Museum

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Museum

District: Bragança > Torre de Moncorvo > Torre de Moncorvo > Centro Histórico

Location

The Castle Museum is located in the heart of Torre de Moncorvo's Historic Centre, built within and integrated into the remaining structures of the medieval fortification itself. Its unique location allows for direct immersion into the very site that is the object of its exhibition, offering immediate contact with the historical heritage of the town and its ancient wall.

Origin and Purpose

This cultural space was born from the need to protect, valorise, and publicise the important findings resulting from archaeological campaigns conducted between 1988 and 2018. These excavations revealed the ancient structures of the medieval castle's keep and parade ground. The museum thus functions as an interpretation centre with an educational character, unveiling both the ruins of the fortification and the discoveries made on site over the years.

Discovering History

The visitor experience begins with the unique Porta da Traição (Traitor's Gate), inviting an authentic journey back in time, directly to the early period of King D. Dinis's reign in the 13th century. The route allows observation of sections of the wall built in 1285 and the foundations of ancient towers, while content, mainly digital, complements the understanding of this fortification's complex history. Inside, it is possible to appreciate the collection gathered over decades of archaeological excavations, which includes artefacts such as coins, copper objects, ceramics, and iron.

The Legacy and Defense of the Kingdom

The history of this medieval fortification is intrinsically linked to the charter granted by King D. Dinis in 1285. Moncorvo Castle played a strategic role in the defensive network protecting the Portuguese border with Castile, assuming crucial significance for the kingdom's security during the Middle Ages. Although much of the castle was dismantled in the 19th century, this museum ensures the preservation of its memory and the valorisation of the archaeological remains, allowing visitors to understand the historical relevance of this imposing structure for Torre de Moncorvo and for the country's path.