Castle of Sortelha, Medieval castle in Sortelha, Portugal
Castelo de Sortelha sits on a granite hilltop at 786 meters elevation with a square keep and walls featuring two gates protected by defensive towers. The structure incorporates natural rock formations directly into its defensive design.
Initial fortifications were built during Muslim times before King Sancho II constructed a formal castle in 1228 to strengthen border defenses. This construction was part of the Christian Reconquista strategy in the region.
The castle gates feature stone grooves that merchants used during medieval times to verify and standardize their measuring implements for fair trade.
Visitors can explore the castle grounds, walk along the defensive walls, and access the central keep through the main courtyard entrance. The site requires sturdy footwear due to uneven surfaces and steep terrain.
The castle uses natural granite boulders directly as parts of its walls, with some large stones functioning as essential structural elements of the defenses. This building method shows how medieval builders incorporated the landscape itself into their construction.
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