Lapel Tower

Location

- The Tower of Lapela is located in the parish of Troporiz and Lapela, in the municipality of Monção, in the district of Viana do Castelo, in Portugal.

- It is situated near the Minho River, in a strategic location that, in the past, protected the river crossing.

History

- The Tower of Lapela was part of the old Lapela Castle, being what remained of this medieval castle.

- This castle was probably founded by Lourenço Gonçalves de Abreu, an important nobleman who fought in the Battle of Arcos de Valdevez alongside D. Afonso Henriques.

- Over the years, the castle suffered several destructions, especially after the Restoration of Independence (1640), when it was dismantled to make way for new fortifications.

- In 1940, the tower was partially restored as part of the commemorations of the Double Centenary of the Foundation and the Restoration of Independence.

- In 2016, it underwent a major rehabilitation, being reopened to the public as the Lapela Tower Museum Centre.

Classification

- The Tower of Lapela has been a national monument since 1910, standing out as one of the historical landmarks of the region.

Characteristics

- The tower is made of stone and has a square plan, with about 10 meters on each side and 35 meters in height.

- The walls of the tower have an impressive thickness of 3 meters.

- The only entrance is on the north facade, about 6 meters above the ground, and is decorated with the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Portugal.

Visit

- In 2016, the tower was rehabilitated, improving the surrounding area and highlighting the old granaries.

- The Tower of Lapela is now a tourist attraction, offering a glimpse into the medieval history of the region and the local heritage.