Castle of Portelo

Parish of Padornelos

Castle of Portelo
District Vila Real
Council Montalegre
Parish Padornelos
Area 15,52 km²
Inhabitants 34(2011)
Density 2,1 hab./km²
Gentilic Montalegrense
Construction ( )
Reign ( )
Style ( )
Conservation ( )

It was, is, and will be the capital of Barroso. It is certainly not one of the oldest parishes, as the ancient borders of neighboring territories attest; but, after the Bolognese ordered the construction of the Castle – an authentic jewel of medieval military architecture – he changed its landmarks and crosses and defined it as a territory of twenty square kilometers for the sustenance (grazing and agriculture) of the initial hundred settlers. And so, without major upheavals, it grew over the centuries, driven by the industry and legitimate ambition of its residents.

Today, the town is a small metropolis of vigorous commerce, fledgling but stable industries, and an enviable tourist destination. Its main fairs (of the Saints, of the Prize, of Smoked Meat, of Veal), the municipal festivals of Senhor da Piedade, the Festival of the Goat, and several other cultural events such as congresses on medicine, archaeology, ethnology, folklore, and Popular Medicine are already famous. While we're on the subject of festivals, it's worth remembering that until the nineteenth century, the town's largest festival was São Frutuoso, held in its humble chapel on the way to Larouco.

It's worth mentioning, as a site with references to the past of classical times, an important recent find of over nine hundred Roman coins.

The municipality of Montalegre is, along with Boticas, one of the two municipalities of Barroso. A little over 26.25% of the municipality's surface area is part of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, and of the municipalities within it, it contributes the largest area to the Park (21,174 ha, or 211.74 km²).

Background

Brasão da Montalegre

Overlooking a rocky outcrop at the base of the western slope of the Larouco mountain range, on the border with Galicia, along with the castles of Piconha, Montalegre, Monforte de Rio Livre and Chaves, it defended access to the valleys of the Cávado and Tâmega Rivers in the Middle Ages. Additionally, it defended the lands of Couto Misto, currently in Galicia.

It is believed that the earliest human occupation of the site dates back to a prehistoric Romanized hillfort dominating the natural route of transit between the valleys of the Cávado and Salas rivers, over which it enjoys a wide panoramic view.

The medieval castleseta_baixoseta_cima

Foto 1 castelo

There are no known documents or testimonies that allow us to trace the history of the medieval castle, which is believed to date back to the time of the Christian À época da Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, sometime between the 11th and 12th centuries.

During the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521), it is depicted by Duarte de Armas (Book of Fortresses, c. 1509) with its plan and view. From the latter, it can be inferred that the keep was already in ruins, exhibiting cracks on its north elevation. The village of Sendim is depicted to the southwest, away from the castle.

From the Portuguese Restoration War to the present dayseta_baixoseta_cima

Foto 3 castelo

Destroyed during the Portuguese Restoration War in the late 17th century, it is now largely ruined, notably due to recent attempts at reforestation in the area.

Despite the monument's significant historical significance, both regionally and nationally, its ruins are neither classified nor marked. Although little remains of its ancient walls, its site boasts an excellent landscape setting. Access is by foot, via a road from Coto de Sendim.

Events of the time

1102 - Battle of Arouca.

1103 - Battle of Vatalandi, near Santarém, between Muslims and Christians.

 - Soeiro Mendes and D. Teresa replace, in the government of County of Portugal, Henry, Count of Portugal, absent in Rome or Jerusalem.
 - Alfonso VI of León and Castile crowned.
 - Alfonso I of Aragon marries Urraca, daughter of Alfonso VI of Leon and Castile.

1121 - Alfonso II of Aragon enters Portugal, on a sovereign mission, in the retinue of his mother, D. Urraca.

1123 - Viseu - counts D. Teresa and D. Henrique who, in 1123, granted it a charter.