Castle of Celorico da Beira and walls

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Guarda > Celorico da Beira > Celorico da Beira > Celorico (São Pedro e Santa Maria) e Vila Boa do Mondego

Location

In the heart of the town of Celorico da Beira, in the district of Guarda, stands the imposing Castle and its walls. Situated on a rocky granite promontory, the monument dominates the surrounding landscape, offering panoramic views over the town's urban fabric and extending across the fertile valleys to the Serra da Estrela. Its strategic position reveals the site's centuries-old importance, serving as a privileged point of surveillance and defence throughout the centuries.

Historical Legacy

The history of the Castle of Celorico da Beira is intrinsically linked to the formation of Portugal. Its origins date back to a Castro settlement, later occupied by Romans and Visigoths, evidencing a continuous occupation of the site due to its geostrategic relevance. It was one of the first conquests of King Afonso Henriques in the region, in the 12th century, and its importance was consolidated with the charter granted by King Sancho I in 1183, transforming it into a fundamental bastion of the Luso-Castilian border. During the reign of King Dinis, between the 13th and 14th centuries, the castle underwent its major reform, which gave it much of the structure that can be seen today, adapting it to the defensive needs of the time.

Architecture and Structure

The Castle of Celorico da Beira has an irregular layout, perfectly adapted to the profile of the terrain on which it rests. Its robust walls, built predominantly of granite, delimit a defensive perimeter that is still impressive today for its solidity. The main access to the enclosure is through a bent-axis gate, an ingenious defensive feature, flanked by a square-plan tower that reinforced the entrance. Inside, the remains of the keep, the most imposing element and the last refuge in case of an attack, are visible, as well as other towers that punctuated the wall-walk and ensured surveillance over the surroundings. In some sections, remnants of a barbican, an outer work that offered additional protection to the walled enclosure, can still be seen.

Views and Contemplation

A visit to the Castle of Celorico da Beira and its walls offers an immersive experience in history and landscape. Beyond its historical and architectural value, the site invites contemplation of the magnificent views that unfold from the top of its battlements. From here, it is possible to appreciate the natural beauty of the Beira Interior, with its valleys and mountains, in a panorama that evokes the strategic importance this castle played in the defence of Portuguese territory. It is a place where the memory of the past meets the serenity of the present, providing a moment of reflection on the resilience and identity of a region.

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

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