Historical Villages of Portugal

This activity takes us to explore the majestic Serra da Estrela and discover the legendary “Route of the 20 Castles.” Along this journey, we will travel through time, visiting 20 historic sites that played a key role in shaping the identity and nationality of Portugal.

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Belmonte

One of the most emblematic monuments of the Route of the 20 Castles is Belmonte Castle. This site not only holds Portugal’s medieval history but also the legacy of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil. Strategically and majestically positioned, the castle overlooks the Zêzere River valley, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. At its feet lie the Church of Santiago and the Chapels of Santo António and Calvário, creating a setting that breathes history and devotion.

Guarda

Guarda Castle is the highest in Portugal, dominating the landscape at an impressive altitude. The construction of its walls began at the end of the 12th century, and its style combines elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, reflecting the architectural evolution of the time. With a perimeter of irregularly shaped walls, the castle adapts to the unique terrain, giving it an imposing and distinctive character.

Sequeiros Bridge

The Sequeiros Bridge is a fortified bridge that crosses the Côa River, playing a crucial historical role in defining borders. Before the incorporation of the Riba-Côa lands into the national territory, this bridge served as a natural boundary marker. Its construction dates back to the 13th century. Today, the Sequeiros Bridge stands as a testament to medieval history and the evolution of Portugal’s borders.

Sortelha

Sortelha Castle is located at the highest point of the village, on top of an isolated cliff. The castle’s urban perimeter has an oval and irregular layout, adapting to the rugged terrain of the region. To the northwest of the castle stands the imposing Torre do Facho, near the False Gate. This square-shaped tower, along with the circular watchtower located near the Village Gate, complete the fortification.

Sabugal

Sabugal Castle is strategically located and was part of the former Kingdom of León. With Gothic military architecture, the castle features an urban perimeter with an oval and irregular layout, reflecting the defense needs of the time. The Citadel is protected by a double walled belt, with a barbican and cylindrical turrets, strengthening its fortress. Sabugal Castle shares architectural affinities with other important castles in the country, such as those in Beja, Estremoz, and Montalegre, revealing the influence of Gothic military construction techniques across various regions of Portugal.

Alfaiates

Alfaiates Castle is located in a plateau area, bordered by a courtyard, and features rustic buildings attached to two facades. Its architectural style is Romanesque-Gothic, with a square layout that reflects the influences of the medieval and Gothic periods. The castle’s architecture is military in nature, with the citadel being particularly notable for its double-walled perimeter.

Vilar Maior

This castle is located on a plateau hill and is typically a mountain castle in Romanesque-Gothic style. Its layout is oval and irregular, with the imposing square-shaped Keep Tower standing out. On the exterior, to the west, it is possible to observe the beginning of the outer defensive wall, which reinforced its defensive function. The elevated position and the robustness of its military architecture make this castle an important landmark in the history of the region.

Mendo Castle

Castle Mendo integrates two urban areas, with the castle’s enclosure located in the highest zone. With Romanesque and Gothic styles, its walls have an oval and irregular layout, with the citadel marked in the first defensive enclosure. The rectangular-shaped Keep Tower is one of the most striking elements of the fortification. With the liberal reform, the municipality was abolished, initiating a process of progressive decay of the castle.

Bom Castle

Bom Castle is situated overlooking the Côa River, originating from an ancient Bronze Age hillfort. Incorporated into the Kingdom of Portugal in 1297, it still preserves the sections of its walls, the Village Gate with a broken arch on the outside and a full arch on the inside, the coat of arms of the former village, the Cistern to the south, the Powder Magazine to the west, the Square-shaped Stairwell Well, and the Rectangular-shaped El-Rei Well.

Almeida

Almeida Castle is characterized by its military fortress architecture, with a hexagonal layout composed of six bastions, corresponding ravelins, and curtains. Surrounded by a moat, it has a perimeter of 2,500 meters and is considered one of the best examples of Vauban-style fortifications in the world. Communication with the outside is made through the S. Francisco (or Cruz) Gate to the south and the Santo Castelo Gate. From the castle, the foundations of an irregular square-shaped layout still remain, attesting to its grandeur and historical importance.

Pinhel

The castle in Pinhel is located in the heart of the urban center, surrounded by a walled perimeter that encompasses the entire hill and the historic center of the city. Manueline elements are clearly visible, such as the mullioned window with arches and intertwined beams, and the window with a straight lintel and semi-crown frame, which reflect the architectural richness of the period. The walled urban perimeter includes six gates, two defensive towers, and the Citadel enclosure. From its defensive walls, two sections remain, integrating two towers, preserving the historical legacy and grandeur of this ancient fortification.

Rodrigo Castle

Rodrigo Castle is situated at an altitude of 810 meters, offering a wide view over the plain that extends to the Convent of Santa Maria de Aguiar. Today, it is the seat of the municipality and retains its historical importance. In 1297, with the signing of the Treaty of Alcañices, it officially became part of Portuguese territory, thus consolidating its strategic position in defending the region. Its privileged location and history make it an important landmark in the identity of the municipality and the region.

Trancoso

Trancoso Castle, located at an altitude of 885 meters, rises over a plateau area, within an urban walled enclosure that covers the historic center of the town. In Romanesque-Gothic style, the castle consists of a wall and a citadel, both with an irregular oval layout. The imposing Keep Tower, with a square plan and a truncated pyramid shape, is built with interlocking jagged stones, giving it a robust and solid appearance. The castle’s citadel is made up of seven towers.

Celorico da Beira

Celorico da Beira Castle is situated at an altitude of 550 meters, offering a privileged view over the town and dominating the Mondego Valley. From this elevated point, it is also possible to spot the castles of Trancoso and Guarda, framing the landscape. The castle has military mountain architecture, with Romanesque-Gothic influences. It features a walled enclosure with an irregular circular layout, corresponding to the citadel, reflecting its role as a strategic defense point for the region.

Linhares

Linhares Castle is situated on a hilltop in the northwestern foothills of Serra da Estrela, at an altitude of approximately 820 meters, overlooking the Mondego Valley. With Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the castle has an irregular layout and consists of two enclosed areas. The western enclosure, with a larger perimeter, corresponds to the citadel. The castle features two towers: the imposing and defensive Keep Tower, and the Clock Tower, located to the east, which complements the fortified structure and marks its historical and strategic importance in the region.

Avó

This castle is situated at the top of the hill where the settlement develops, on the banks of the Alva River. With a Gothic-military style, the castle features an irregularly shaped enclosure, adapted to the topography of the land. Its architecture reflects its defensive function, characteristic of medieval constructions in the region. One of the most notable elements is the Chapel of São Miguel, which makes use of a medieval building, integrating into the castle’s architectural ensemble and adding significant historical and cultural value.

Novo Castle

Novo Castle is located on the eastern slope of Serra da Gardunha, at an altitude of 650 meters. With military architecture, influenced by Gothic and Manueline styles, the castle was an important military stronghold in the settlement. Despite the degradation of some parts, the fortification remains a significant historical landmark.

Monsanto

Monsanto Castle is located at the top of a hill, at an altitude of 758 meters, offering a strategic view of the region. Its military architecture consists of three walled enclosures, each with a distinct layout: an outer oval-shaped enclosure, a lateral one with an oblong layout, and the third, inner one, with a rectangular plan. This fortified structure reflects its defensive function, adapted to the terrain and the need to protect the village of Monsanto.

Penha Garcia

This castle is located on the southern slope of Serra de Penha Garcia, overlooking the valley of the Pônsul River, in a majestic position that offers a panoramic view of the region. In 1303, King D. Dinis ordered the reconstruction of the fortifications, reinforcing its strategic importance. Later, in 1510, the castle received a new charter from King D. Manuel I, marking a new phase in its history. An ancient medieval fortress, Penha Garcia was also, until the end of the 18th century, a refuge for fugitives, used to shelter those fleeing from justice. The castle thus preserves a rich history of defense and protection over the centuries.

Penhamacor

This castle stands at an altitude of 573 meters, in a strategic position on a fortified hill between the Ceife and Taliscas streams. The Watchtower, isolated on a rocky hill, stands out in the landscape, offering a panoramic view over the region. The construction of the barbican and the rebuilding of the castle are attributed to King Fernando and King João I, who strengthened the fortification over time, improving its defensive capacity.

Historical Villages of Portugal