Category: Military Architecture > Castle
District: Vila Real > Chaves > Águas Frias > Assureiras do Meio
Monforte Castle stands majestically in the parish of Águas Frias, municipality of Chaves, at an altitude of 849 meters. Its position, isolated atop a hill in the Brunheiro mountain range, offers a vast and stunning landscape. Visitors are invited to contemplate a 360-degree panoramic view, encompassing the wide Veiga de Chaves and extending across the Trás-os-Montes horizons. This tranquil rural setting provides a serene environment for those seeking the calm and natural beauty of the region.
Next to the castle, there is a leisure area designed for relaxation, equipped with tables and benches, ideal for moments of outdoor socializing while enjoying the scenery. Access to the castle perimeter is facilitated by a multi-flight staircase, leading from the parking area to the historic walls.
Classified as a National Monument, Monforte Castle is a valuable repository of Portuguese history, with roots lost in time. Archaeological excavations at the site reveal vestiges of an ancient prehistoric hillfort, and Roman presence is marked by altars dedicated to deities, evidencing the proximity of an ancient Roman road that connected important centers. The construction of the medieval castle, largely as we see it today, peaked between the 13th and 14th centuries, namely under the reign of D. Afonso III and D. Dinis, with the Keep completed around 1312.
This bastion was once the heart of the old municipality of Monforte de Rio Livre, playing a crucial role in defending the kingdom's northern border. Over the centuries, the castle and the fortified village witnessed periods of prosperity, challenges, and abandonment, being rehabilitated in recovery campaigns in the 20th and 21st centuries, which consolidated its structures and allowed for investigation into its rich heritage.
Built predominantly from granite, an abundant material in the region, Monforte Castle has an irregular plan, adapting to the terrain. Its robust walls, which still stand in good condition, were accessed by staircases integrated into their thickness, inviting exploration of the old parade ground, which is entered through two medieval gates. Inside the courtyard, it is possible to observe the foundations of old constructions, such as the governor's houses and cavalry quarters, which give an idea of daily life within the walls.
The imposing Keep, with a quadrangular plan, stands out as the most notable element of the fortification. Divided internally into three floors and lit by arrow slits in the walls, its lower level houses a vaulted cistern. From the top of the walls, visitors can walk along a wall-walk, which connects to the interior of the tower. Of the old urban fence of the village, which originally had three gates, the remarkable Galeão Gate still survives, a physical reminder of the dimension of the ancient walled settlement.
Visiting Monforte Castle is embarking on a journey into the past, feeling the solidity of its architecture and imagining the lives that passed through there over centuries. It is an invitation to discover the military and daily history that shaped this region. Annually, in summer, the area surrounding the castle transforms into the stage for a popular medieval fair recreation, where period costumes, games, and artisanal goods transport visitors to the vibrant atmosphere of the Middle Ages. This cultural event offers a dynamic and engaging way to experience the heritage of the site.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.762258,-7.356106
Coordinates DMS: 41°45'44.1"N 07°21'22.0"W
Weather Águas Frias
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