Castle of Mogadouro

The Castle of Mogadouro (Portuguese:Castelo de Megadouro) is a medieval castle located in the town of Mogadouro, the region of Tras-os-Montes in the Bragança district of Portugal.

Castle of Mogadouro
Castelo de Mogadouro

History

Background

The early occupation of its site dates back to prehistoric times. The site was later Romanized when the Romans came. The region still has traces of the occupation of Visigoths, from the 8th century by Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula Muslims whom bequeathed the town with its name.

Medieval era

During the time of the Christian reconquest of Iberian Peninsula, Miranda region of Douro was the scene of numerous battles, from the castles of Mogadouro, to the Algoso Castle, Miranda do Douro, Outeiro de Miranda and Vimioso to join the first line of defense in north-east Portugal.

The Mogadouro Castle was built in during the years of 1160 to 1165. Aiming to increase the settlement and defense of the region, the king Afonso III (1248-1279) granted a Foral Charter to the village on December 27 of 1272.

Under the reign of King Dinis (1279-1325), the village received a renewed Foral charter in 1297, starting a fence for his defense. São Mamede de Mogadouro constituted in a commendation of the Templars, and this time, it was elevated to the rank order of priory. In 1311, on the order of extinction, their domains (and this commendation) passed to the Order of Christ.

It is believed to have been repairs object in the reign of D. John II (1481-1495), who may have known the way, in the autumn of 1483, in transit Lamego to Vila Real and Braganza, collecting the Port after visiting some other places of Tras-os-Montes, as recorded by Rui de Pina and Resende ; thus the Mogadouro Castle would not be one of those whose repair the same monarch made years later ordered the Christopher Baiao, the Royal House Knight.

The village and its castle are figured by Duarte de Armas (Book of Fortresses c. 1509), when it was well maintained. Date of this period, in 1512, the New Foral , awarded by D. Manuel (1495-1521), mayors-mores and the Távoras, since the century XV did build a superb palace, come to play important roles in defense of Tras-os-Montes at the end of century XVII during War of Restoration Portuguese independence.

In the second half of century XVIII, before the tragic fate of Távoras, and the loss of defensive function, the castle was gradually abandoned, falling into ruins.

Twentieth century to today

The castle was classified as National Monument by decree published in 2 January 1946. The intervention of the government was felt from 1950 by the action of 'DGEMN' ', in the consolidation and repairs donjon and the remains of the wall s, and several cleaning, restoration, reconstruction, maintenance and improvement. In our day a vandal attack led to the destruction of the tower access banister, its port, and equipment archaeological on display inside.

Architect

The castle is a typical example of military architecture. The walls were constructed with granite and shale mortarthe clay, keep up two panels of wall , connecting one of them tower cubelo a square.The tower features plant quadrangulapattern.