Castle of Ródão, Medieval fortified tower in Vila Velha de Ródão, Portugal.
Castelo de Ródão is a medieval stone tower with a square base that crowns a rocky hilltop overlooking the Tagus valley. The structure rises steeply from the mountainside with remnants of defensive walls that once encircled the summit.
The tower was built between the 11th and 12th centuries, likely by the Knights Templar, to protect the crucial trading route along the Tagus. In the 18th century, it was converted into an artillery strongpoint and played a defensive role against regional threats.
For centuries, this hilltop served as a waypoint for merchants and pilgrims traveling through the Tagus valley. The nearby chapel shows how deeply faith and defense were intertwined in the daily life of the settlement.
The climb to the ruins is steep and requires sturdy footwear, especially after rain when paths become slippery. Access is open year-round, though there are no facilities or shelter at the site itself.
The ruins still bear marks from cannonballs and mortar strikes that attest to fierce battles during the 18th century conflicts. Look closely and you will notice the specially modified gun ports that were cut for artillery use, quite different from the older window openings.
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