Castle of Folgosinho

Last updated
Castle of Folgosinho
Castelo de Folgosinho
Guarda, Serra da Estrela, Centro in  Portugal
Folgosinho - panoramio.jpg
A view of the castle from the base of the Serra dos Galhardos
Coordinates 40°30′39.7″N7°30′43.8″W / 40.511028°N 7.512167°W / 40.511028; -7.512167
TypeCastle
Site information
OwnerPortuguese Republic
Open to
the public		Public
Site history
Built12th century
MaterialsGranite, Masonry

The Castle of Folgosinho (Portuguese : Castelo de Folgosinho), is a medieval castle in the civil parish of Folgosinho, municipality of the Gouveia in the district of Guarda in the Centre region of Portugal.

Contents

History

A view of the circular plan of the walled citadel Castelo Folgosinho.jpg
A view of the circular plan of the walled citadel

The castle was constructed in 1183, likely built over the ruins of a former-Lusitanian castro, by men under the orders of King D. Sancho I. [1] Vestiges of the ancient castro were subsumed in the beginning of the 20th century. [1] In 1187, King Sancho would issue a Foral (charter) for Folgosinho, that would be reconfirmed during the reign of King D. Afonso II (in 1217), then in 1350 by King D. Denis. [1] But, its construction is debated by Portuguese archaeologists. [2] In the beginning of the 20th century, some investigators recognized primitive vestiges of the primitive medieval castle, which they attribute to the actions of D. Sancho I. [2] Unfortunately, it can not be confirmed, especially since multiple archaeological excavations suggest a medieval origin. [2] What is clear, is that Folgosinho did not constitute part of the primary lines of conquest and military delineation of the national territory, but rather as part of a wider settlement strategy. [2] But, even these require further documentation. [2] Over the centuries, military documentation is non-existent, and most references associated with the forals passed by D. Afonso II, D. Dinis and D. Manuel, with little evidence on the preponderance of control or management of the territory. [2]

By the 15th century, the castle was part of the possessions of the Sousa family in the district. [1] At this time, around 1512, a new foral was conceded by King D. Manuel. [1] Owing to the number of forals issued to the town and hinterland, the lands of Folgosinho were considered Terra de El - Rei, and were given to Donatary-Captains, the included the Marqueses of Arronches, the Dukes of Lafões and the Counts of Miranda do Corvo. Furthermore, the lands of Folgosinho were constituent parts of the commandery of the Order of Christ.

Following the administrative reorganization of the kingdom, in 1836, Folgosinho ceased to be the seat of the municipality, and Gouveia became that administrative centre.

At the middle of the 20th century, the castle was classified as a Property of Public Interest, initiating a phase of reexamination, that would ultimately lead to it being a regional tourist attraction. By 1938-1939, the civil parish authority began work on reconstructing the castle. [1] But, when the civil parish of Folgosinho indicated their intention to reconstruct the castle, the monument was already in ruin. [2]

Architecture

One of the watchtowers on the top of the tower overlooking the town of Folgosinho Castelinho de Folgosinho.jpg
One of the watchtowers on the top of the tower overlooking the town of Folgosinho

The castle is situated in an urban context, along the edges of the agglomerated townscape, on the top of 930 metres (3,050 ft) hill consisting of white and red quartz, on the flanks of the Serra dos Galhardos, overlooking the valley of Mondego. [1]

The castle has a circular 10 metres (33 ft) plan, with a lower masonry wall and superior wall in stonework, with a slightly elevated and deep adarve. [1] [2] The perimeter of the wall is interrupted in the west by an access to the courtyard, a square keep tower in the east (with corbels) and, in the north, a gate with lintel and bell preceded by protruding frieze and surmounted by small rectangular merlons. [1] [2] It also includes three cylindrical guard towers, with door in broken arches and rectangular merlons. [1]

Within the interior of the castle is a geodesic marker. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Carrazeda de Ansiães</span> Castle in Carrazeda de Ansiães, Portugal

The Castle of Carrazeda de Ansiães, normally shortened to Castle of Ansiães, is a medieval castle in the civil parish of Lavandeira, municipality of Carrazeda de Ansiães of Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Belver</span> Medieval castle in Gavião, Portalegre, Portugal

The Castle of Belver is a Portuguese castle in the civil parish of Belver, municipality of Gavião, district of Portalegre, in central Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Castro Marim</span> Medieval castle in Castro Marim, Algarve, Portugal

The Castle of Castro Marim is a medieval castle on a hilltop overlooking the civil parish of Castro Marim, in the municipality of the same name, in the Portuguese Algarve. The castle was part of the defensive line controlled by the Knights Templar, a stronghold used during the Portuguese Reconquista, and adapted during the Restoration War to defend the frontier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Moreira de Rei</span> Medieval castle in Moreira de Rei, Trancoso, Portugal

The Castle of Moreira de Rei is a well-preserved medieval castle located in the civil parish of Moreira de Rei, in the municipality of Trancoso, Portuguese district of Guarda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Sortelha</span> Castle in Sabuga, Portugal

The Castle of Sortelha (Portuguese: Castelo de Sortelha is a castle in the civil parish of Sortelha in the municipality of Sabugal in the Portuguese Centro region, classified as a National Monument.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Alcanede</span> Building in Santarém, Santarém District, Portugal

The Castle of Alcanede, is a Portuguese medieval castle in civil parish of Alcanede, in the municipality of Santarém, in the Ribatejo district of Santarém.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Alenquer</span> Medieval castle in Alenquer, Lisbon, Portugal

The Castle of Alenquer, is a Portuguese medieval castle in civil parish of Alenquer, in the municipality of Alenquer, in the district of Lisbon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Aljustrel</span> Medieval castle in Aljustrel, Beja, Portugal

The Castle of Aljustrel, is a Portuguese medieval castle in civil parish of Aljustrel e Rio de Moinhos, in the municipality of Aljustrel, in the district of Beja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Arronches</span> Medieval castle in Portalegre, Portugal

The Castle of Arronches, is a Portuguese medieval castle in civil parish of Assunção, in the municipality of Arronches, in the district of Portalegre.

The Castle of Atouguia da Baleia is a medieval castle in the civil parish of Atouguia da Baleia, municipality of Peniche, in the Portuguese of district of Leiria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Avô</span>

The Castle of Avô is a medieval castle located in the civil parish of Avô, municipality of Oliveira do Hospital, in the Portuguese district of Coimbra.

The Castle of Barbacena is a former-medieval castle/fort in the civil parish of Barbacena e Vila Fernando, municipality of Elvas in the Portuguese Alentejo, classified as a Property of Public Interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Vidigueira</span> Castle in Vidigueira, Baixo Alentejo, Portugal

The Castle of Vidigueira is a castle in the civil parish of Vidigueira in the municipality of Vidigueira in the Portuguese subregion of Baixo Alentejo. Although constructed in the first half of the 15th century, it is more commonly associated with the first of the Counts of Vidigueira: Vasco da Gama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Mirandela</span> Medieval castle in Mirandela, Bragança, Portugal

The Castle of Mirandela is a medieval castle in the civil parish of Mirandela, municipality of the same name, in the Portuguese district of Bragança.

The Castle of Seda is a medieval castle located in the civil parish of Seda, in the municipality of Alter do Chão, in the Portuguese district of Portalegre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Freixo de Espada-à-Cinta</span> Castle in Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Bragança, Portugal

The Castle of Freixo de Espada à Cinta is located in the civil parish of Freixo de Espada à Cinta e Mazouco, municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, in the Portuguese district of Bragança.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Penedono</span> Medieval castle in Penedono, Viseu, Portugal

The Castle of Penedono is a medieval castle located in the civil parish of Penedono e Granja, in the municipality of Penedono, Portuguese district of Viseu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Santo Estêvão</span>

The Castle of Santo Estêvão is a medieval castle located in the civil parish of Santo Estêvão, municipality of Chaves, in the Portuguese district of Vila Real. Located in a dominant position over the village, the castle is within walking distance of the course of the river Tamega and the border with Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Castelo Melhor</span> Castle in Guarda, Portugal

The Castle of Castelo Melhor is a medieval castle located in the civil parish of Castelo Melhor, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Portuguese Guarda. The castle is one of the best examples of secondary medieval fortresses, erected in one of the more peripheral zones of the peninsular kingdoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle of Castelo Bom</span> Medieval castle in Castelo Bom, Almeida, Portugal

The Castle of Castelo Bom, is a medieval castle in the civil parish of Castelo Bom, municipality of the Almeida in the district of Guarda in the Centre region of Portugal.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Conceição, Margarida (1992), SIPA (ed.), Castelo de Folgosinho (IPA.00001470/PT020906050005) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 29 March 2017
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Martins, A. (2016). IGESPAR (ed.). "Castelo de Folgosinho" (in Portuguese). Lisbon, Portugal: IGESPAR-Instituto de Gestão do Património Arquitectónico e Arqueológico. Retrieved 30 March 2017.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.