Castle of Penedono

Parish of Penedono

Background

The human occupation of the site certainly dates back to pre-Roman times, although it is not possible to state this with any certainty.

The oldest documentary sources mention this area only at the time of the Christian À época da Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors, regarding the repopulation of the region after the victory of the forces of Ramiro II of León in the Battle of Simancas (939). The defense of this part of the territory was entrusted to Rodrigo Tedoniz, husband of Leodegúndia (sister of Mumadona Dias) with whom he fathered D.Flâmula (or Chamoa Rodrigues). Rodrigo would become mayor of the sovereign's castles and, in this role, he would have ordered the rebuilding of the Castle of Penedono. Later, in 998 of the Hispanic Era (960 of the Christian Era), Chamoa Rodrigues, finding herself seriously ill, had herself taken to the Monastery of Guimarães, appointing her aunt Mumadona as executor, with the task of disposing of her assets for charitable purposes. These included a series of castles and their respective people (penellas et populaturas) on the border of Beira Alta Province, including this one, Penela.

The medieval castle

During the 11th century, as the Christian frontiers advanced and retreated, Penedono and its castle changed hands on several occasions. Its definitive reconquest was carried out by the Leonese king Ferdinand the Great (1064). An inventory of the assets of the Monastery of Guimarães, drawn up in 1095, lists the Castle of Penedono among other assets previously bequeathed by D.Chamoa. With the political emancipation of Portugal, its domains became part of those of the young nation. Sancho I of Portugal (1185-1211), given the strategic location of Penedono, close to the border, encouraged the repopulation of these lands through a charter (1195), while also ordering the reconstruction of its defenses. His successor, Afonso II of Portugal (1211-1223) confirmed the charter in 1217. The town and its castle also attracted the attention of Denis of Portugal (1279-1325), who ordered reinforcements for its defense.

The current configuration of the castle dates back to the end of the 14th century, when D. Fernando (1367-1383) included the town in the Trancoso district. Faced with the intention of the municipality to raze the Penedono Castle, the good men of this town rose up, achieving their autonomy. These domains were then donated to D. Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, captain of Espírito Santo, lord of the Leomil estate, who had the castle rebuilt.

In the context of the crisis of 1383-1385, the mayor of Penedono, Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, died in the spring of 1384, and his son, Gonçalo Vasques Coutinho, succeeded him in the role. Loyal to the party of the Master of Avis, he was entrusted, at the beginning of 1385, with the task of leading the forces of Porto that conquered the Castle of Feira. Later, he distinguished himself, through merit, in the Battle of Trancoso (May 1385), which earned him promotion to the rank of marshal. It is believed that the children of this mayor were born in the Castle of Penedono, among them:

• the first-born, Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, 1st Count of Marialva, who took part in the ill-fated expedition to Tangier (1437); and
• Álvaro Gonçalves Coutinho, the knight nicknamed Magrço, hero of the narrative of the Twelve Peers of England, immortalized by À época da Camões in Canto VI of The Lusiads.

The descendants of the Count of Marialva maintained interests in the Castle of Penedono, namely: D. Gonçalo Coutinho, who inherited the title of count, and Fernando I of Portugal Coutinho, both members of the second expedition to Tangier (1464), where the first lost his life; his grandsons, D.João Coutinho, 3rd Count of Marialva, and D.Francisco Coutinho, 4th Count of Marialva by succession of his brother, who died without descendants, both members of the expedition that conquered Asilah (1471), which cost the first his life.

Under the reign of Manuel I of Portugal (1495-1521), the town received the New Charter (1512), which attests to its importance at the time. At this time, new works were carried out on the castle, for which it will have The influence of the 4th Count of Marialva, inspector of the royal works in Beira, contributed, whose only daughter, D.Guiomar Coutinho, married Prince Fernando I of Portugal. When the Count died without descendants, and his daughter, two years later, also without descendants, the Coutinho family became extinct.

From the 17th century to the present day

The domains of Penedono and its castle are mentioned in the 17th century, associated with the Lacerda family, who then used the honorific title of their mayors.

The castle was visited by Alexandre Herculano in 1812, who describes it, at the time, as already in ruins.

In the 20th century, it was listed as a National Monument by Decree published on 23 June 1910.

In 1940, as part of the Centenary celebrations, promoted by the Portuguese Estado Novo, the castle was the target of interventions to consolidate and restore sections of the walls and towers, partially reconstructed, under the responsibility of the General Directorate of National Buildings and Monuments. New works were carried out in 1943 and 1953, allowing the complex to survive to this day relatively well preserved, but still in need of work inside.

Architecture

At an elevation of 930 meters above sea level, we know nothing about its original configuration. The current castle, of small dimensions (with an external perimeter of about 70 meters), dates from the end of the 14th century, with additions dating from the turn of the 15th to the 16th century.

Functioned as a manor house, it has an irregular hexagonal plan, with the lateral walls highlighted and protected by pyramidal battlements. In granite and schist stone, in the northwest sector, the wall is reinforced by a defensive cube. Two other robust prismatic towers, with buttresses and corbels, are crowned by pyramidal battlements. In the southwest sector of the wall, two slender towers stand out, crowned with recessed pyramidal battlements, flanking and protecting the main gate of the castle, topped by a full arch that joins both defensive towers. Through this one accesses the small parade ground. On its walls, one can see the remains of the wooden beam bases of the residential floors, with the walls being punctured by square windows flanked by stone benches. In one of the corners of the parade ground, under the keep, there is a cistern, with a polygonal section, covered by a ribbed vault.

The complex is completed by a small Barbican, whose curtain is punctured by a pointed arch door and the battlement.

Curiosities

Although there is not much to see inside this small castle, apart from the magnificent landscape that can be seen from the top of its walls, if it is locked, the key can be found in the little shop next to the town's pillory.