border castles
Photo: João Paulo
border castles
border castles
border castles
border castles
border castles
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Portugal
Border castles
Border castles
Place: Montemor-o-Velho
Photo: Paulo Magalhães The frontier castles have stood since the birth of the Portuguese nation.

Listen to ancient stories of heroic deeds and glorious battles while discovering the remains of buildings that tell us so much about the country’s origins.

There’s so much to enjoy: from the castles of Alfaiates, Sortelha, Vilar Maior, Sabugal, Castelo Mendo, Castelo Bom, Castelo Rodrigo, Penamacor, Monsanto and Pinhel, to the fortress of Almeida. Most of them are classified as national monuments, going back to the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries and closely linked to the need to defend Portugal’s territory.

Almost since the beginning of its history, Portugal has had a pressing requirement to defend itself from attack by neighbouring Spain. Almeida is an interesting example not to be missed, with its fortress that was transformed into a mighty bastion of the border area.

And don’t miss the experience of the 20 Castles Route, as you get to know the Portuguese people and their history.

Castelo Mendo
To walk through the medieval gates of this ancient village is to journey down the paths of history.
Castelo Novo
Castelo Novo lies in the superb natural amphitheatre of the Serra da Gardunha. The region is characterised by fine manor houses belonging to local ...
Castelo Rodrigo
The town of Castelo Rodrigo, from which you can see as far as Spain and the Douro Valley, has not had a peaceful history. Yet the beauty of the ...
Linhares da Beira
Situated on the western side of the Serra da Estrela, the imposing towers of Linhares da Beira’s mighty castle can be seen from afar.
Monsanto
On a high cliff lies a village known as the most Portuguese village in Portugal. As well as preserving the nation’s oldest traditions, the ...
Sortelha
Crowned by a castle standing on a formidable rocky outcrop, Sortelha preserves its medieval features in the architecture of its rustic granite houses.
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