Castle of Lindoso, Medieval castle in Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal.
Castelo de Lindoso is a medieval castle set on a hilltop with thick granite walls, defensive towers, and fortified sections spread across the elevated terrain. The structures sit prominently on the ridge, commanding views over the valley and surrounding mountains.
The fortress was built in the 13th century under King Afonso III to defend Portuguese territories from Spanish attacks along the northern frontier. It held a critical role in the kingdom's border protection during a period of territorial disputes.
The castle sits among traditional granite granaries called espigueiros, which reveal how local farmers stored and dried their corn harvests for the year ahead. These stone structures remain a defining feature of the hilltop and speak to daily rural life over many generations.
The site is accessible daily, with guided tours available in Portuguese that include entry to a museum located in the main tower. The uphill walk to reach the castle requires steady footing on a sloped path.
From the castle you can see directly down into the Lima River valley and across to the Serra Amarela mountain range, marking the exact medieval border defense point. This vantage shows why this location was so strategically vital to the kingdom of that era.
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