Montalegre Castle (Castelo de Montalegre)
Montalegre Castle (Castelo de Montalegre) in Montalegre in the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro region of Portugal like many castles in Portugal was built on a hilltop location.
Also, as in many other Portuguese towns, the settlement grew around the castle which provided both protection and an economic stimulus for its inhabitants.
History
The castle was built during the reign of D. Dinis (1279-1325) in the 14th century.
The town subsequently grew around the castle mainly to the east and south. The structure was strengthened during the Portuguese Restoration War (1640-1668) with a view to protecting the walls from the artillery of the day. The 1755 Earthquake seems to have caused only slight damage according to contemporary documents.
The castle has been classified as a Portuguese National Monument since 1910.
Architecture
The square-shaped Castelo de Montalegre consists of four towers connected by walls. Within the walls are the remains of a cistern, the 27-meter tall keep and a small museum explaining the history of the site.
Nearby on Rua do Castelo is the white-washed Igreja Matriz de Montalegre now classified as a National Monument. It dates originally from the 13th century and was founded and built by the Order of Santiago. The building houses the Museum of Sacred Art of Montalegre and relief sculptures depicting Santiago fighting the Moors.
The medieval Igreja do Castelo de Montalegre close to the castle was once the main church of the town. It is notable for its bell tower which is separate from the main church building.
Further south of the castle stands the Igreja da Misericórdia. The church has a plain exterior and a single nave. Nearby is the historic pelourinho or pillory - a symbol of medieval authority.
Getting to Montalegre
Car Travel in Portugal
The A24 motorway connects Chaves south to Viseu, Coimbra and Figueira da Foz. The N103 branches off the A24 west towards Peneda-Gerês National Park. The M308 heads north from the N103 to Montalegre.
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Bus Travel in Portugal
Montalegre is served by both Transdev and Internorte. The bus station is southeast of the centre off Rua General Humberto Delgado.
Montalegre has bus connections to Braga (2 hours, 20 minutes), Chaves (1 hour, 40 minutes) and Vila Real changing buses in Chaves (4 hours, 20 minutes).
Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation
Montalegre has several places to stay including the excellent Casa Machado, the holiday home A House in the Castle Hill, the homestay Os Franciscos, the guesthouse Casa Avó Chiquinha and the Casa da Urze Gerês south of the scenic village of Pitões das Junias.
See here for a full listing of hotel accommodation in Montalegre.
Featured Hotel
Casa Avó Chiquinha, Rua Corujeira 634, 5470-219, Montalegre, Portugal.
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