Castelo de Guimaraes (Castle of Guimaraes), Guimaraes (must see)
The Castle of Guimaraes, standing proudly atop the Broad Hill, serves as an emblematic testament to the rich tapestry of legend, poetry, and heroism that envelops the early chapters of Portuguese history. In the annals of circa 968, Mumadona, the Countess of Galicia, commissioned the construction of a castle on this strategic site. The motivation behind this endeavor was to provide refuge for the local population against the relentless onslaughts by Viking marauders from the north and Muslim invaders launching raids from the territories they occupied to the south.
The turning point in the castle's history occurred when Count Henry, assuming the governance of the province known as Portucalense from his father-in-law, Alfonso VI of Le贸n, ordered the construction of a more substantial and fortified structure. This marked the inception of the formidable defensive complex that stands today.
The castle is dominated by a square keep that stands proudly between four towers, each steadfastly guarding a corner of the fortress walls. The architectural prowess of this medieval stronghold is evident in its robust construction and strategic layout, showcasing the military acumen of its builders.
While not explicitly documented, it is widely believed that the building nestled against the inner part of the northern wall served as the residence of Count Henry. This site is speculated to be the birthplace of his son, Afonso Henriques, who went on to become the first King of Portugal.
The turning point in the castle's history occurred when Count Henry, assuming the governance of the province known as Portucalense from his father-in-law, Alfonso VI of Le贸n, ordered the construction of a more substantial and fortified structure. This marked the inception of the formidable defensive complex that stands today.
The castle is dominated by a square keep that stands proudly between four towers, each steadfastly guarding a corner of the fortress walls. The architectural prowess of this medieval stronghold is evident in its robust construction and strategic layout, showcasing the military acumen of its builders.
While not explicitly documented, it is widely believed that the building nestled against the inner part of the northern wall served as the residence of Count Henry. This site is speculated to be the birthplace of his son, Afonso Henriques, who went on to become the first King of Portugal.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Guimaraes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Castelo de Guimaraes (Castle of Guimaraes) on Map
Sight Name: Castelo de Guimaraes (Castle of Guimaraes)
Sight Location: Guimaraes, Portugal (See walking tours in Guimaraes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Guimaraes, Portugal (See walking tours in Guimaraes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Guimaraes, Portugal
Create Your Own Walk in Guimaraes
Creating your own self-guided walk in Guimaraes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Guimaraes Introduction Walking Tour
Guimar茫es, the capital of the industrious Ave region of Portugal, is one of the country's most beautiful and authentic cities. Because of its pivotal role in the nation's history, Guimar茫es also holds the esteemed title of the "birthplace of Portugal" or "the cradle city". The latter, in part, is due to the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, being born here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles