Medieval Castle, Guimarães, Portugal (4 pics)

Guimarães Castle is a medieval-style castle built in the 10th century to protect a monastery as well as the city from assaults by the Moors and Normans.

At the time, the whole village was surrounded by this fortress which consisted of a castle, a keep and 8 towers which managed access to the premises.

Several years later, the first king of Portugal, Afonso I the Great, was born in the castle in 1109.

This fortress fought many battles and was later associated with the founding of Portugal and its struggles for independence but was abandoned in the 15th century and almost demolished before being restored in the 20th century.

Most of the original 28 meters tower are still present today and can be seen up close by walking through the interior walls of the castle.

There is even a wooden suspension bridge connecting the wall and the central gate.

It is so pleasant to climb the walls and to walk in the bowels of this castle which has so much history.

Even if the interior of the castle is quite sober, the walk on the walls is worth the detour.

From one of the towers, we can even see a 300 year old church which can be visited when leaving the castle.

If you are lucky like us and the guard comes out at the same time as you arrive, he will open the door for you.

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Photo taken with a Canon PowerShot SX500 IS.

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