Castro Laboreiro Castle
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About 1000 m above the sea level, on the inner line of the border between Alto Minho and the area of influence of Ourense, the Castro Laboreiro Castle is one of the most symbolic Portuguese military monuments, mostly due to its geographical location; the way it fits in the landscape - with almost unnoticeable walls among the granite mass on which it stands - and its panoramic view make your visit unavoidable.
Apparently built on the ruins of a fortified village, its origins are still unknown, possibly from the time of Count Hermenegildo, grandfather of St. Rosende, founder of Castro Laboreiro according to local tradition.
What is certain is that Castro Laboreiro Castle have played an important role after the reconquest of the territory. Several times fallen into the Moors hands, it was reconquered in 1140 by king Afonso Henriques who supposedly ordered the curtain walls to be built. At that time, the fortress would consist of an inner courtyard with an isolated keep, like the Romanesque castles. Over time it has undergone several transformations, and 150 years later, during King Dinis reign, took place the reform that gave the castle the overall look it has today: 2 walled precints, the 1st one corresponding to the original precint, where was built the main core, with the keep and cistern, and the 2nd one, larger, mostly used to put away cattle and other goods.
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About 1000 m above the sea level, on the inner line of the border between Alto Minho and the area of influence of Ourense, the Castro Laboreiro Castle is one of the most symbolic Portuguese military monuments, mostly due to its geographical location; the way it fits in the landscape - with almost unnoticeable walls among the granite mass on which it stands - and its panoramic view make your visit unavoidable.
Apparently built on the ruins of a fortified village, its origins are still unknown, possibly from the time of Count Hermenegildo, grandfather of St. Rosende, founder of Castro Laboreiro according to local tradition.
What is certain is that Castro Laboreiro Castle have played an important role after the reconquest of the territory. Several times fallen into the Moors hands, it was reconquered in 1140 by king Afonso Henriques who supposedly ordered the curtain walls to be built. At that time, the fortress would consist of an inner courtyard with an isolated keep, like the Romanesque castles. Over time it has undergone several transformations, and 150 years later, during King Dinis reign, took place the reform that gave the castle the overall look it has today: 2 walled precints, the 1st one corresponding to the original precint, where was built the main core, with the keep and cistern, and the 2nd one, larger, mostly used to put away cattle and other goods.
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Norte
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Melgaço
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Peneda-Gerês National Park
Identification and Access
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Yes
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Access to Castro Laboreiro, from:
- Spain - A6 conecting Galicia to the center of Spain; AP9 A Coruña; AP9 Santiago de Compostela; Vigo A52, exit, As Neves or A Cañiza, then direction Arbo – Portugal; Ourense A52 exit A Cañiza and then direction Arbo – Portugal. Follow toN202 and N202-3 direction Castro Laboreiro.
- South - A1/A3 Lisboa, Porto, Braga, Valença; then exit direction Valença, cross Valença an follow to N202 direction Monção/Melgaço. Follow to N202 and N202-3 direction Castro Laboreiro.
- South across the National Park - N101 to Arcos de Valdevez, N202 to Lamas de Mouro and N202-3 to Castro Laboreiro.
There are two pedestrian accesses to the castle:
42 ° 1'45.83 "N 8 ° 9'26.14" W (signposted)42 ° 1'38.53 "N 8 ° 9'34.74" WGPS: 42.023231, -8.158192
Base Characterization
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National Monument
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Military
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Public
Tips
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Make a little detour on the way to the Castle and enjoy also the old mills on Laboreiro river.
Fuel at Melgaço and Lamas de Mouro.
