City Walls of Covilhã

Category: Military Architecture > Wall

District: Castelo Branco > Covilhã > Covilhã > Centro Histórico

Location and General Description

- Located in the city of Covilhã, Portugal, the City Walls of Covilhã comprised the Castle of Covilhã.

- Built in ashlar stone, the walls included seven imposing towers and five large strategic gates.

- The São Vicente, Vila, Sol, Altravelho, and Castelo Gates stand out, each facing different cardinal points.

Area and Construction Materials

- The walls covered a surrounding area of 90000m² (9 hectares).

- The abundance of granite in the Serra da Estrela facilitated the construction and maintenance of the walls.

History and Significance

- Possible remote existence, suggested by a date of 1004 found on a stone in the wall.

- Reconstruction or use mentioned in the will of D. Sancho I in 1188/1189.

- Repairs after capture by the Moors in 1209, followed by the reconquest in 1210 by D. Sancho I.

- Renovation ordered by D. Dinis I in 1300 to protect strategic defense areas.

- Subsequent renovation ordered by D. Afonso V in 1459.

- Enlargement of the walled perimeter granted by D. Manuel I in 1510.

- Destruction of sections and repair ordered by D. João IV in 1641.

- Damage by the 1755 Earthquake and reuse of the structure for the Feitoria da Real Fábrica (Royal Factory Trading Post).

- Demolition of parts of the walls during the Estado Novo (New State) in 1945/1950 for the construction of the Municipal Headquarters.

Architecture and Highlights

- Emphasis on the Porta da Vila (Town Gate) and the Arco da Cadeia (Chain Arch), present in the Philippine walls.

- Octagonal keep in good condition, currently used as a water reservoir.

- House of the Alcaide-Mor (Chief Magistrate) of Covilhã, the Viscount of Barbacena, located in the area.

Current Status and Conservation

- Currently, few vestiges of the original walls remain.

- A section of the wall in the Porta do Sol (Sun Gate) area collapsed in 2000 but was restored.

Curiosities

- The castle had an area difficult to defend intended to protect populations and wealth.

- Different kings, including D. Afonso V, D. Manuel I, and D. João IV, contributed to the repairs and renovations of the walls.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_da_Covilhã