In the far north of Portugal, where the border with Spain is barely visible among the damp mountains and orange-roofed villages, there is an area where… Nature still retains the wild air. there Peneda-Gerês National ParkThe only one in the country, it is a landscape that touches the sky at the peaks of Nevosa and the Altar of Dos Caproes, and is connected to Galicia via Xurés. At the gates of this natural enclave stands a villa that keeps the secret: A Medieval castle For centuries, it was the first line of defense for this green and mountainous region.
It’s called the city Montalegre It belongs to the province of Villa Real. This city is located on a plateau that opens towards the Cavado Valleys, and has been for centuries Defending bordersIt is a strategic point that protects roads, towns and pastures. Today, between the smell of wet heather and the calm of its hills, Montalegre He continues to view the world from the same walls that once guarded the crossing between kingdoms.
Montalegre, the stone guardian who watches over Pineda Geres
The great protagonist is Montalegre Castlea 13th-century castle built during the reigns of Afonso III, Denis I and Afonso IV. Its construction was completed in 1331 A strong and iron castle It became one of the most important defensive structures in the Portuguese north. From its elevated position, it controlled the corridor between the Kavado and Tamega valleys, and witnessed historical conflicts such as the Wars of Reconquista. Today it still stands as a silent sentinel, even though its function is no longer war, but memory.
walk towards fort It passes through one of the most surprising historical centers in Terrace os Montes. Stone streets lead towards the castle and towards Castle ChurchIt is a distinctive temple whose bell tower remains separate from the main body, according to a common tradition in this part of the country. Along the way, the traveler discovers rural tranquility MontalegreWhere time seems to move at a different pace.
A few steps away, Barroso Environmental Museum Allows you to better understand the area surrounding the city. Its rooms explain Barossa culture, a way of life characterized by livestock, high-altitude agriculture and a deep respect for the land. Between traditional tools, photographs and small everyday stories, the visitor discovers that this region has survived thanks to knowledge passed down from generation to generation.
Those who descend towards the valley find a hidden gem among the forests: Mosteiro de Santa Maria das Junias. Founded in the 12th century, this former Cistercian monastery combines Romanesque and Gothic elements and remains today in an evocative state of ruin. Its isolation (it can only be reached by walking) makes it one of the most charming corners of the city Montalegre. very close, Sella Kavalos Waterfall It falls with crystalline force between the villages of Sella and La Bella, providing an ideal angle for swimming in summer.
All this cultural and natural landscape is better understood when remembered Montalegre It is one of the official entry doors to the city Peneda-Gerês National Park. This protected area is a mixture of granite mountains, transparent rivers, oak forests and villages where the galloping of Jarano horses, a local breed that lives in freedom, can still be heard. Roads Walking tour They cross Roman bridges, cross glacial lakes and enter incomparable valleys.
short, Montalegre It is much more than just a city fort. It is a living testimony to Border history Portugal is a haven for researchers Nature in its purest form And a distinct point of view towards the only one National Park From the country. A place where the past still watches the walls and where the silence of the mountains invites you to discover a different Portugal: wilder, older and very authentic.
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