Chaves Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Vila Real > Chaves > Chaves > Quinta da Estação

Location

Chaves Castle stands in a prominent position in the historic city center, in the parish of Santa Maria Maior. Situated on an elevation, it offers a privileged perspective over the course of the Tâmega river and the surrounding valley. Its dominant presence in Chaves' urban fabric reflects its historical importance as a strategic border defense point, particularly with neighboring Galicia.

Its carefully maintained gardens, delimited by sections of the old wall, provide a pleasant environment for a stroll, where elements of the ancient defenses can be observed and the cityscape enjoyed.

Historical Memories

The foundations of human presence in Chaves date back to prehistoric times, but it was during the Roman era, under the name of Aquae Flaviae, that the settlement gained relevance. The castle, as we know it today, began to take shape in the medieval period, with the first defenses attributed to the 9th century.

Over the centuries, this fortification was a stage for intense confrontations and shifts in power, from the Suebian and Visigothic incursions to the Muslim occupation and successive Christian reconquests. Its importance was consolidated in the 13th century when, under the reign of D. Afonso III, Chaves received its first charter, marking the beginning of the reconstruction of its defenses, including the imposing Keep.

Subsequently, the castle played a crucial role in the Restoration Wars, at which time its structures were modernized to withstand artillery. Classified as a National Monument since 1938, Chaves Castle is a living testament to Portugal's military and political history.

Architecture and Contemplation

From the original fortified complex, the Keep stands out, a robust quadrangular structure approximately twenty-eight meters high. It is characterized by its battlements and machicolations at the top, as well as openings such as arrow slits and bifora windows in the granite walls. Access is via a stone staircase leading to a perfect arch portal, crowned by a royal coat of arms.

Inside the Keep, spread over five floors, there is a museum space. Here, visitors have the opportunity to see up close a collection of military artifacts, such as weapons and uniforms, which illustrate the evolution of defense from the Middle Ages to the present day. Observing internal architectural details, such as the window seats in the embrasures or the cistern that collected water, offers an authentic perspective on the life and functionality of a medieval fortress.

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