Ucanha Tower

Category: Civil Architecture > Tower

District: Viseu > Tarouca > Ucanha

Location

The Ucanha Tower stands in the village of the same name, in the municipality of Tarouca, and is located by the Varosa River, a central element in the local landscape. This unique structure, classified as a National Monument, sits on the right bank of the river, where the Varosa winds through an open valley, flanked by trees such as alders and willows, and by traces of old watermills. Its position marks the entrance to the ancient 'couto' (enclosed land) of the Salzedas Monastery, making it a visual landmark in the region.

The village of Ucanha, a cluster of old houses, developed around the bridge and the tower, lending the place a serene and picturesque atmosphere. The name "Ucanha" itself refers, in old Portuguese, to a small stone house, perhaps alluding to the simplicity and authenticity of the settlement.

A Past of Significant Functions

The history of the Ucanha Tower is intrinsically linked to the medieval bridge over the Varosa River, whose origins date back, by conjecture, to the 12th century. This bridge served as a crucial crossing point in the Middle Ages, integrating an old route that connected Lamego to other lands. The construction of the tower, as we know it today, occurred later, around 1465, at the initiative of D. Fernando, then abbot of the Salzedas Monastery, as can be read in a Gothic inscription on the monument itself.

The presence of the tower in this location played multiple roles. It constituted a strategic point of defense, controlling access to the monastery's 'couto'. Furthermore, its imposing presence served as a clear manifestation of seigniorial power and, fundamentally, of tax collection. For centuries, the Cistercian monks benefited from the toll paid by those crossing the bridge, which was a significant source of income for the monastery. Only at the beginning of the 16th century was the collection of these rights discontinued.

Architecture and Details

The tower has a quadrangular plan and rises to about twenty meters in height. Its original access, which we observe today, is located above ground level, a defensive feature that hindered unauthorized entries. Inside, the tower is divided into three distinct floors. The first level has only one slit window, while the second has two twin windows on two of its faces, allowing greater light entry and a wider view of the surroundings.

On the top floor, under the hip roof, the machicolations stand out, projecting balconies supported by corbels, which served for the vertical defense of the monument. The bridge, in turn, features five pointed arches, with a deck that forms a gentle rise, giving it a distinctive silhouette. The solidity of the granite, the predominant material, and the presence of elements such as the epigraph and a niche with an image, attest to the architectural richness and historical value of this ensemble, which is a remarkable example of Portuguese Gothic civil architecture.

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