| Castle of Moreira de Rei | |
|---|---|
Castelo de Moreira de Rei | |
| Guarda,Alto Trás-os-Montes,Norte Region, Portugal in Portugal | |
.jpg) Ruins of the Castle of Moreira de Rei | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Owner | Portuguese Republic |
| Operator | Câmara Municipal do Sabugal (ceded 28 July 1941) |
| Open to the public | Public |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 40°49′41.44″N7°19′14.26″W / 40.8281778°N 7.3206278°W /40.8281778; -7.3206278 |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Granite, Stone |
TheCastle of Moreira de Rei (Portuguese:Castelo de Moreira de Rei) is a well-preservedmedievalcastle located in thecivil parish ofMoreira de Rei, in themunicipality ofTrancoso,Portuguese district ofGuarda.
Acastro probably existed on the site of the fortification and was later re-appropriated by the Romans.[1]
By 960 A.D. the first reference to the castle of Moraria appeared in the will of D. Flâmula Rodrigues. It was donated to the Convent of Guimarães in the intervening years.[1] In 997, it was taken by Almançor, and remained in the possession of the caliphate until 1055, when it was reconquered by forces ofFerdinand I of León.[1] Superficial vestiges of interior foundations were discovered indicating the first structures constructed on the site were attributed to the 12th century.[1]
The firstforal (charter) was conceded by D. Afonso Henriques; the territory remained in the hands of Fernão Mendes of Bragança until his death, when it reverted to Crown.[1] In 1217, the foral was conferred by King D.Afonso II. Sometime in 1247, the site was a staging location for King D.Sancho II, before his exile to Toledo.[1]
The Rol dos Besteiros (1422) suggested that 1065 inhabitants occupied the grounds around the castle, yet the 1496Inquirição (Inquiries) determined little more than 202 residents.[1]
In 1512 a new foral was issued, resulting in the castles dominion by Fonseca Coutinho and, later, theMarquess of Castelo Rodrigo. Shortly after (in 1527), theNumeramento (the census of the kingdom) suggested a population of 428 inhabitants.[1]
In 1853, during a visit by Alexandre Herculano, the author indicated an advanced state of destruction and ruin. During this period, the courtyard was used as a quarry.[1]
Between 1920 and 1930, Father Júlio César Gomes advocated/promoted that materials should not be used from the site for local buildings. By this time there continued to exist two cisterns: one at the hilltop covered in vaulted ceiling and another to the northwest.[1] The first efforts to restore the site occurred in 1942 by theDirecção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais (General-Directorate for Buildings and National Monuments) involving the restoration of the walls and corners, a task that was continued the following year and 1945, that included rebuilding the walls and reinforcement, along with excavation and leveling of dirt.[1]
The site is a mix of natural, rural and urban landscaping, occupying the extreme incline of a hilltop 819 metres (2,687 ft) above sea level, that includes granite stones and poulders incorporated into the construction.[1] The site overlooks the valley and old village, that includes vestiges of the walls a little distance from the pillory and Church of Santa Marinha, while to the south are the castles ofTrancoso andMarialva.[1]
The castle's fortifications are formed by a double line of walls, with the exterior portion largely incomplete, save for some lines along the east, south and north.[1] The interior walls form an irregular oval, with a curtain of walls devoid of merlons in the east. The northern limits, marked a linear wall is largely defended by rock boulders of large dimensions.[1] Still visible is the base of a rectangular keep tower in the northwest, while elements of a rectangular tower to the northeast are visible.[1] Over the rocky surface to the northeast are marks of the wall foundations, creating an orthogonal inflection.[1] The centre of the courtyard was excavated to reveal a rectangular deposit.[1]
Remains of the urban perimeter wall are limited to segments in the area once occupied by a northern gate.[1]
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