Category: Military Architecture > Tower
District: Viana do Castelo > Arcos de Valdevez > Figueiredo > Torre de Grade
Located in the village of Grade, in the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, district of Viana do Castelo.
Built in the 15th century by Álvaro Pires de Grade, married to D. Branca Lopes Pacheco, a member of an influential family of the time. Over the centuries, it passed through several owners and underwent modifications.
Tower with a square floor plan, located on top of a hill. It has three floors, with a structure that still maintains traces of its medieval origin, despite the transformations over time.
Highlights include the battlements along the top of the tower, which reinforce its defensive appearance, and the coat of arms above the main door, with the arms of the former owner.
Over time, a second building, with two floors, was added next to the tower. On the ground floor, support spaces operated, while the upper floor was the residential area.
Considered a Property of Public Interest since 1978, it preserves the memory of medieval architecture and the manorial organization of the time.
Despite the changes, it continues to be a landmark in the landscape, evoking the history and evolution of manor houses in northern Portugal.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_de_Grade
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.87084138474167,-8.373698379833689
Coordinates DMS: 41°52'15.0"N 08°22'25.3"W