Keep

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Castelo Branco > Penamacor > Penamacor > Centro Histórico

Location

The Keep stands imposingly in the heart of the Historic Centre of Penamacor, a village nestled in the Beira region. Situated on a rocky promontory, this structure benefits from an elevated position which, historically, allowed for sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. It is the central and highest point of what was once the old medieval burgh, inviting a peaceful exploration of the cobbled streets that surround it.

A Resilient Past

The Keep is the most notable remnant of Penamacor's old castle, a vanguard fortress built to protect the border after the Christian Reconquista. Since D. Sancho I granted the first charter to the village in 1209, the castle was reinforced and adapted over the centuries to face constant threats from neighboring kingdoms. In the 17th century, during the War of Restoration, the old medieval fortress was partly dismantled to make way for a bastioned structure that encompassed the entire village. In 1739, a notable incident tested its robustness: lightning struck the ammunition depot located in the keep's enclosure, severely damaging the annexed structures and leaving visible scars on the tower itself, which, despite everything, remained standing. Classified as a National Monument since 1973, the tower is a symbol of the region's resilience and military history.

The Tower Through the Ages

Although the exact construction date of the Keep is difficult to pinpoint, its imposing presence is known to date back centuries, with reinforcement and restoration work carried out right at the beginning of the 16th century. It is considered one of the last towers with a medieval profile to be erected in Portugal, serving functions of both vigilance and residence. 18th-century accounts describe it with a machicolated balcony resting on corbels, an architectural detail that underscores its defensive purpose. The original entrance, about six meters from the base and accessible by a single door from the upper-story rooms of the keep's enclosure, is today accessed via an exterior staircase, allowing visitors to enter its interior and contemplate its historical significance.

An Interpretive Journey

Inside the Keep, a vaulted room houses part of the archaeological collection discovered during excavations in the areas of the keep's enclosure and the pillory. These findings, some of which date back to the Neolithic period, offer insight into daily life within the old walls. One of the central points of the experience is a detailed model, which approximately represents the layout of the old medieval burgh of Penamacor, based on historical records such as Duarte d’Armas's "Livro de Fortalezas" (Book of Fortresses). This three-dimensional representation allows those who explore the space to understand the organization and life in the village of yesteryear.

The Beira Horizon

Ascending to the top of the Keep, the reward is a 360-degree panorama stretching across vast landscapes. From here, it is possible to visually command the territory that this castle once protected. To the east, the foothills of the Sierra de Gata are visible; to the west, the imposing Serra da Gardunha rises; and to the south, the silhouette of Monsanto castle marks the horizon. This comprehensive view offers a unique perspective on the strategic importance of the Tower and the fortified complex in the defense of the Iberian border, allowing for a visual connection with the geography of the Beira region.

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