Germanelo Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Coimbra > Penela > Santo Amaro > São Miguel, Santa Eufémia e Rabaçal

Location

- Situated in the locality of Rabaçal, parish of São Miguel, Santa Eufémia and Rabaçal, municipality of Penela, district of Coimbra.

- Located in the surroundings of Coimbra, near Penela, on top of a hill.

History

- It is believed that the area was initially occupied by a Romanized castro (hill fort).

- Built or rebuilt during the reign of D. Afonso Henriques, after the granting of the charter in 1142.

- It served as a defense against Moorish attacks, protecting the Coimbra region.

- With the territorial expansion to the South, it lost its strategic importance and was abandoned.

Reconstruction and Present Day

- Partially reconstructed in the 20th century by the historian Salvador Dias Arnaut, following the original layout.

- After his death, the castle was put up for sale in 2000, but popular mobilization led to its classification as a Site of Public Interest in 2014.

- Currently, the castle has a geodetic landmark on its walls.

Characteristics

- Small castle in Romanesque style, with an area of 80 thousand square meters.

- Surrounded by a natural forest.

Legend of the Germanelos

- Legend of the giant brothers, blacksmiths who lived on separate hills, sharing a hammer.

- Gerumelo, one of the brothers, threw the hammer that disintegrated in the air, creating a spring of ferruginous waters and a wild olive grove.

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

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