Montalvão Gate

Category: Civil Architecture > Gate

District: Portalegre > Nisa > Nisa > Bairro da Cevadeira

Location

The Montalvão Gate is located in the town of Nisa, in the municipality of the same name, part of the Portalegre district. Specifically, it is situated in the Bairro da Cevadeira (Cevadeira Quarter), a point that marks the integration of Nisa's military past into its current urban fabric. As one of the remaining elements of the ancient walls that once surrounded the town, its location allows visitors to understand its original function as one of the historical accesses to old Nisa.

Historical and Architectural Legacy

This gate is a remarkable remnant of Nisa's medieval defensive structure. Its construction dates back to the late 13th century, during the period when the town was rebuilt by order of King D. Dinis, between 1290 and 1296. This architectural element, predominantly Gothic in style, is built of granite, a characteristic material of the region. The Montalvão Gate represents one of the few surviving sections of the imposing walls that protected the settlement. Its historical and architectural relevance was officially recognized with its classification as a National Monument in 1922.

Witness to a Fortified Past

In the past, the town of Nisa was protected by a set of walls that had six gates. Of these, only two have withstood the passage of centuries, and the Montalvão Gate is one of them, also known as Porta da Vila (Town Gate). This fact gives it a particular role as one of the main testaments to the locality's ancient defensive structure. Upon passing through this gate, visitors can imagine the dynamics and daily life of medieval Nisa, understanding its function as a control point and access to a fortified community.

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