Lizard Tower

Category: Civil Architecture > Tower

District: Viseu > Resende > Carril > Lagariça

Location

The Lagariça Tower is located in the Lagariça area, a serene spot in the village of Carril, within the municipality of Resende. Situated halfway up a slope, this tower benefits from a position that offers views over the Cabrum River valley, set within a predominantly agricultural rural landscape. Its strategic placement, once ideal for surveillance, now allows visitors to appreciate the tranquility of the surrounding landscape and the harmony with which the structure integrates into the natural environment.

A Look into the Past

Possibly dating from the 12th or 13th centuries, the Lagariça Tower originated as a watchtower. Its robust structure, with a quadrangular plan and vertical development, was perfect for controlling and defending the region. Since the medieval period, the site has been associated with the "Pintos" family, noblemen who left their mark on local history. In the early 16th century, the tower was occupied by Gonçalo Martins Cochofel and D. Briolanja Pinto, who adapted it for family dwelling.

Architecture and Historical Fusion

Throughout the centuries, the Lagariça Tower underwent significant transformations. In 1610, it underwent works that converted it into a family residence, integrating it into a larger manor house. This fusion resulted in a unique architectural harmony, where the medieval austerity of the tower coexists with later elements. Its facade features few windows, characterized by narrow openings with pointed arches, and a rectangular balcony with machicolations on the western face, elements that reveal its original history and function. The ensemble, consisting of the tower and the manor house, was recognized as a Property of Public Interest in 1977, highlighting its heritage value.

The Inspiration of Eça de Queiroz

For lovers of Portuguese literature, the Lagariça Tower holds a particular charm: it is widely recognized as the source of inspiration for the "Illustrious House of Ramires", the notable manor described in Eça de Queiroz's eponymous work. This connection to the literary universe gives the place an aura of mystery and fascination, inviting reflection on the intersection between historical reality and the fiction that marked the celebrated author's writing.

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