Castle of Marialva

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Guarda > Mêda > Marialva

Location and Context

, Situated in the Village and Parish of Marialva, Municipality of Mêda, District of Guarda, Portugal.

, Strategically positioned on top of a granite crag, dominating the border region of the Côa River.

History

, Foundation dates back to ancient occupations, possibly since a pre-Roman castro.

, Rebuilt and fortified over the centuries, especially during the Christian Reconquista and the times of D. Afonso Henriques and D. Dinis.

, Important role in the defense of Portuguese territory, rebuilt by D. Dinis after the conquest from the Moors.

National Monument

, Classified as a National Monument since 1978, standing out for its historical and architectural importance.

Architectural Features

, Structure divided into two main parts: the military citadel and the urban core.

, Granite walls, with four main gates and several defensive towers.

, Highlights include the Keep, the main defensive structure, and the 16th-century Cistern.

Period of Decline and Restoration

, Suffered significant deterioration after the involvement of the Távoras in the attempted assassination of D. José I.

, Recovery only began in the late 20th century, with conservation and restoration works coordinated by the Mêda City Council.

Notable Structures

, Within the walls, in addition to the defensive structures, highlights include the Old Town Hall, Courthouse and Jail, and the Pillory, both with architectural elements characteristic of the 17th and 16th centuries, respectively.

, Presence of two notable churches: Igreja da Misericórdia (Church of Mercy) and Igreja de Santiago (Church of St. James), representative of different architectural styles.

Visits and Current Management

, Open to public visitation, offering a privileged view of the medieval history of Portugal.

, Currently managed by the Mêda City Council, which promotes the conservation and dissemination of the historical heritage of Marialva.

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

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