Guimarã es Castle is located in the town of the same name in northern Portugal. The powerful walls and construction of this ancient building indicate its important defensive role in the distant era of the Middle Ages. It was here in the XII century. the kingdom of Portugal arose and its first king, Afonso Henriques, was born.
The first fortifications on this site were built in the 10th century. for the defense of local residents from the attacks of the Normans from the north and the Moors from the south. Later, Count Henry of Burgundy received these lands under the control of King Alfonso VI of Leon and significantly rebuilt and strengthened the fortress walls of the castle. It is believed that his son Afonso Henriques, who later became the first king of Portugal, was born in this citadel. At the beginning of the XII century. it was near the castle of Guimaraes that this young count defeated his mother's troops and founded the new kingdom of Portugal, freed from the influence of Castile and Leó n.
In subsequent centuries, the castle more than once became the site of heroic battles for the integrity of the young kingdom, but by the 15th century. it has lost its military significance. Its fortifications were used as a prison, and one of the towers was completely dismantled for building materials for the church. At the beginning of the XX century. Guimarã es Castle has been restored to its original grandeur and beauty.
The fortress consists of a central square donjon surrounded by a fortress wall with four towers. Inside, apart from the towers and walls, on which you can walk completely freely, nothing has been preserved, but it is worth paying (2 euros) and climbing the steep wooden stairs to the roof of the central tower for the impressive views. Near the fortress is a small Romanesque chapel of San Miguel (free entry), in which the founder of the Portuguese kingdom, Afonso Henriques, was baptized.
Want to see with your own eyes - tours to Portugal, Travel Agency "Hot Line", www. hot. com. ua, +38(044)592-24-26, +38(050)418-7505, +38(067)440-3682
The first fortifications on this site were built in the 10th century. for the defense of local residents from the attacks of the Normans from the north and the Moors from the south. Later, Count Henry of Burgundy received these lands under the control of King Alfonso VI of Leon and significantly rebuilt and strengthened the fortress walls of the castle. It is believed that his son Afonso Henriques, who later became the first king of Portugal, was born in this citadel. At the beginning of the XII century. it was near the castle of Guimaraes that this young count defeated his mother's troops and founded the new kingdom of Portugal, freed from the influence of Castile and Leó n.
In subsequent centuries, the castle more than once became the site of heroic battles for the integrity of the young kingdom, but by the 15th century. it has lost its military significance. Its fortifications were used as a prison, and one of the towers was completely dismantled for building materials for the church. At the beginning of the XX century. Guimarã es Castle has been restored to its original grandeur and beauty.
The fortress consists of a central square donjon surrounded by a fortress wall with four towers. Inside, apart from the towers and walls, on which you can walk completely freely, nothing has been preserved, but it is worth paying (2 euros) and climbing the steep wooden stairs to the roof of the central tower for the impressive views. Near the fortress is a small Romanesque chapel of San Miguel (free entry), in which the founder of the Portuguese kingdom, Afonso Henriques, was baptized.
Want to see with your own eyes - tours to Portugal, Travel Agency "Hot Line", www. hot. com. ua, +38(044)592-24-26, +38(050)418-7505, +38(067)440-3682
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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