Old Clock Tower

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Viseu > Mangualde > Mangualde > Mangualde, Mesquitela e Cunha Alta

Location

Located in the heart of Mangualde, the Old Clock Tower stands as a landmark in its historic center. Its striking presence in the urban fabric, next to the Palace of the Counts of Anadia, facilitates its identification and integration into the town's environment, serving as a point of reference for those exploring the area.

A Historical Legacy

The Old Clock Tower represents a significant re-erection of the old medieval bell tower that stood on this very site. Its construction, in the Mannerist style, is believed to have been completed between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. For many years, this tower played a central role in the life of Mangualde, housing the town's clock, before its mechanism was transferred to the Misericórdia tower.

Architectural Features and Details

With a quadrangular plan and built of granite, the tower exhibits volumes of great robustness and sobriety, distinctive features of the Mannerist style. On its facade, a stone clock with Roman numerals stands out, giving it the name by which it is affectionately known. Inside, an iron staircase, composed of three flights, allows partial access, reaching approximately half the tower's height.

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