Ruins of the Village Gates

Category: Military Architecture > Walls

District: Vila Real > Vila Real > Vila Real > Vila Velha

Location

The Ruins of the Village Gates are located in the Vila Velha area, in the heart of Vila Real city. This area corresponds to the original core of the settlement, marking the exact spot where the city began to develop and where its defensive structure once stood. It is a place that invites a leisurely stroll, allowing visitors to imagine the life and urban landscape of centuries past.

Historical Legacy

This site marks the presence of one of the most important elements of Vila Real's ancient fortification. The history of the Village Gates is intrinsically linked to the construction of the wall that surrounded the city. Although King Dinis I had already expressed his intention to build these defenses at the end of the 13th century, it was during the 14th century that the wall circuit was effectively erected, protecting and delimiting what was then the "Vila Velha". These structures were crucial for the safety of its inhabitants and for controlling access to the settlement.

Original Structure

Although only vestiges remain today, the Village Gates were part of a complex defensive system. The wall that integrated them outlined a perimeter that sheltered the old Vila Real, featuring three main gates. Of these, the most important was the northern gate, characterized by its grandeur and protection. It was flanked by two tall towers that served as sentinels and where, incidentally, the first alcaide-mor (chief castellan) of the village established his residence, evidencing its strategic and symbolic importance. The other gates were located to the south and west, thus completing the village's entrance and exit system.

A Look at the Demolished Past

The once imposing Village Gates were, however, dismantled in 1873. This act marked a significant change in Vila Real's urban configuration, opening the city to a new chapter of expansion and modernization. The ruins that can be observed today are the last vestiges of a structure that once defined the boundaries and identity of the settlement. Visiting this site provides a moment of reflection on the evolution of time and how the city has transformed, inviting imagination to mentally reconstruct the robustness and importance these gates represented for Vila Real.

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