Tower of Penegate, Medieval tower in Carreiras, Portugal.
The Tower of Penegate is a three-story quadrilateral fortification with thick stone walls and defensive projections running along its upper edges. The structure sits at an elevated position and dominates the surrounding landscape with its solid, angular form.
King Denis granted permission for the tower's construction in 1322 to Mem Rodrigues de Vasconcelos, an administrator connected to Guimarães Castle. The fortification reflected the crown's strategy to strengthen control over the region during that era.
The structure shows how medieval Portuguese nobility displayed their power and control over surrounding lands through fortified buildings. Today, visitors can observe how the architecture served both defensive and symbolic purposes for the region's ruling families.
Reaching the tower requires climbing a steep pedestrian path that demands physical effort and steady footing. From the elevated position, clear views open across the Febros Valley and the historic medieval route that once connected Braga to Valença.
Inside the tower stands a small Baroque chapel with a three-part altarpiece showing the Virgin Mary flanked by Saint John and Saint Anthony in painted wooden panels. This sacred space tucked within a military structure reflects an unexpected spiritual dimension to the fortification.
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