CASTELO MENDO
Distance and Route: 14 Km - EN. 332 and EM. 567
The importance of Castelo Mendo village comes from the fact that, since the founding of the
nation, it constituted one of the leading edges of the defence facing the kingdom of Leon.
This small town, together with other castles like Pinhel, Vila do Touro and Sortelha, has become a
strategic key of great importance in defending the border with Castile and Leon that, until the
Treaty of Alcanices in 1297, was defined by the River Côa.
Located in the face of Castelo Bom, repopulated since the time of Fernado Magno, Castelo Mendo
guaranteed the defence of one of the most important passages of Rio Côa - Porto de S. Miguel,
then called Portum Mouriscum.
Not surprisingly, since very early, it has been the subject of royal protection which resulted in rapid
population growth, coupled with strong economic dynamism that the creation of a weekly market,
held on Sunday, and a fair, lasting eight days, three times a year (Easter, St. John the Baptist and St.
Michael), is an eloquent reflection.
This initiative of D. Sancho II, included in the Regional Code of Laws which was issued on March
15th, 1229, as evidenced by the existence of a suburb that quickly spread out, towards the north
side, where St. Peter´s church would rise. Moreover, this dynamism was already documented in
1202, due to the existence of a County Seal in S. Vicente de Fora monastery, in which can be read
"SIG (illum) CONCILLI CASTRO MENENDI ".
In recognition of this progress, D. Dinis gives a new Regional Code of Laws on December 16th,
1281, followed two days later by the new Regional Fair Code of Laws, at which the works of the
new wall should already be underway. The Treaty of Alcañices, advancing the boundary line for
more than a furlong towards the east, withdrew her role, transforming it into a second-line defence.
The decline has been progressive, causing John I, on September 11th, 1387, to transform the village
into a “couto of homiziados” as a way to promote their settlement. In vain. Neither the Regional
Code of Laws of King Manuel I of June 1st, 1510 reversed the process that continued until 1835,
when the county was dissolved and became part of the new Almeida County.
Castle and primitive wall - The medieval castle occupied the southern end of the primitive
enclosure, forming a fortress with its donjon, SW, rectangular plant and opened to the outside
through two doors. One, the "False door", facing SE, opening on an escarpment, and another, the
"Castle Gate", facing North and establishing communication with the ovaloid about where the
town was distributed. In this space, can be seen the ruins of the Church of Santa Maria, of which a
chapel still survives in the southern nave wall sporting an alfarje ceiling, Moorish of the late
fifteenth century. To access this space, you must enter through the door of 'D. Sancho II ', one that
gave access to the original wall from the outside.
Second Wall - Contrary to the original wall, the new wall opens into four doors, living symbols of
the economic dynamics of the village. The "Village Gate" or “Porta da Vila” in broken bow, facing
east to the place where the fair took place, it is the main entrance into the town, flanked by two
boars and two quadrangular towers. In the northwest flank, ensuring communication with the
Jarmelo and Guarda, stands the "Guarda Gate” or “Porta da Guarda” in arch and broken barrel
vault, like the "Porta da Vila ".
Access to the road leading to the Port of San Miguel and the crossing of the Côa is done by the
"Gate of the Sun" or “Porta do Sol” in entire arched back and barrel vault, facing the east.
In the curtain wall facing south, stands another door that already Duarte d'Armas designed boarded
up and remains so.
Other interesting features:
http://www.aldeiashistoricasdeportugal.com/castelo-mendo