| Castle of Mau Vizinho | |
|---|---|
Castelo do Mau Vizinho | |
| Vila Real,Alto Trás-os-Montes,Chaves in Portugal | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Owner | Portuguese Republic |
| Open to the public | Public |
 | |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Granite, Schist |
TheCastle of Mau Vizinho (Portuguese:Castelo do Mau Vizinho) is a medievalcastle situated in thecivil parish ofCimo de Vila da Castanheira, in themunicipality ofChaves,district ofVila Real. Also referred to as theCastle ofMoors (Portuguese:Castelo dos Mouros), it is literally translated as theCastle of the Bad Neighbour
Traditionally thought to be a pre-Roman sanctuary, the site doesn't present the typical structures, such as ritual altars, normally found in other sites in the area (such as Pias dos Mouros inValpaços, Vilar de Perdizes inMontalegre, or Panóias inVila Real).[1] Although dates presented in field surveys do not extend to the period, there is an assumption that further archaeological research may substantiate a pre-Roman culture.[1]
Archaeologist António da Eira e Costa first discovered the castle ruins in the late 1960s and early 1970s,[2] and successive excavations were undertaken between 1981 and 1989:
As a result of this work, the site was classified as aProperty of Public Interest by Decree (3 January 1986).
The artifacts unearthed at the site included fragments ofmedieval ceramics.[1] Archaeological analysis at the site consists of a claycossoiro, tile fragments, andpottery. The style and technique used during the period correspond to processes employed during theMiddle Ages.[5]
The castle is situated in an isolated, rural hilltop covered inoak trees, with difficult access to an area the terminates over the valley of theMousse River, approximately 562 metres (1,844 ft) below.[1] The remains of the rock cliff castle is defended by a line of walls constructed inschist, and held together by clay, withgranite corner stones (including cliff stone) that crown the top of the hill.[1] In addition to the first wall of fortification discovered, there are severalredoubt along the cliff that may have been associated with a secondary ring of defenses.[1]
The structure consisted of ashale/schist rock fortification and likely included a centralturret. The central spaces included 184 square metres (1,980 sq ft) where a mound ofmortaredschist stone is located in two sections. Externally, there are a number of rock cavities that sheltered perishable materials (likely wood) and represented the second defensive line. The fortifications are accessible from an alignment of stones acting as steps, which are dug into the rock face.
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