Castle of Castelo Melhor

Parish de Castelo Melhor

Background

It is believed that the original occupation of this place dates back to a pre-Roman hill fort.

In the parish of Mós do Douro we find traces of ancient occupation in the places of Campanas and Castelo Velho. These are small fortified settlements from the Bronze Age, judging by the reports of finds that have come down to us.

Unlike what happens in the Northwest of the Peninsula, in the region of the hot land of the Douro, the Castro civilization established its camps not on the top of the mountains but rather on plateaus or small elevations embedded in valleys. Hence, in the 1st millennium BC, the ironmen had settled in the area of ​​the Castle, a place that was later Romanized and constituted by a small Vicus, judging by the area in which the remains of materials from that period predominate. Graves and a funerary inscription (closing with the common acronym S.T.T.L. - may the earth be light to you), among other materials, attest to this occupation.

The medieval castle

The sovereign confirmed the Leonese charter (12 June 1298). However, the reforms carried out in its defence attest to the secondary role of this town: they were limited to the Town Gate, which was now guarded by two quadrangular towers, thus transmitting to the visitor the impression of solidity and strength, while at the same time maintaining the original walled enclosure, reinforced by an attached tower, guarding the only access route.

New work to expand and reinforce the defense of this border town took place during the reign of Fernando I of Portugal (1367-1383), in the context of the campaign he undertook against Castile.

In the mid-15th century, under the reign of Afonso V of Portugal (1438-1481), the town of Castelo Melhor and its domains were donated to the Cabral family, who were already mayors of Belmonte Castle.

The sovereign confirmed the Leonese charter (12 June 1298). However, the reforms carried out in its defence attest to the secondary role of this town: they were limited to the Town Gate, which was now guarded by two quadrangular towers, thus transmitting to the visitor the impression of solidity and strength, while at the same time maintaining the original walled enclosure, reinforced by an attached tower, guarding the only access route.

New work to expand and reinforce the defense of this border town took place during the reign of Fernando I of Portugal (1367-1383), in the context of the campaign he undertook against Castile.

In the mid-15th century, under the reign of Afonso V of Portugal (1438-1481), the town of Castelo Melhor and its domains were donated to the Cabral family, who were already mayors of Belmonte Castle.

From the Philippine Dynasty to the present day

During the Philippine Dynasty, the town's domains were elevated to a county (1584). During the Portuguese War of Restoration of Independence, light modernization and reinforcement works were carried out, adapting the defensive structure to modern artillery fire. Later, the town would be elevated to a marquisate (1766). These honors, however, did not benefit the old castle, which, having been forgotten, was preserved without major alterations.

Still requiring more extensive archaeological research, the complex was listed as a Property of Public Interest by Decree published on February 26, 1982.

Features

Crowning the hill, the castle has a circular plan, with the wall devoid of Battlements, reinforced by three turrets. The door is torn in it, in a broken arch. Inside, in the parade ground, there is a circular cistern.

The town, which is divided into two main streets, over the centuries grew beyond the walls. In its central square, the church stands out.