Castle of Pinhel, Medieval castle on hilltop in Pinhel, Portugal.
Castle of Pinhel is a medieval fortress that crowns a hilltop and overlooks the Côa Valley below. The structure has thick stone walls and defensive towers that take advantage of its elevated position for protection and surveillance.
After Portugal's reconquest from Moorish rule in the 13th century, this fortress was built to protect the borderlands and control important trade routes. It played a key role in securing the region during this crucial period of territorial consolidation.
The castle serves as a symbol of the medieval defensive tradition in the region and continues to shape how locals and visitors understand Pinhel's past. It demonstrates how this location functioned as a border stronghold that influenced the town's development and character.
Access to the castle is via marked paths from Pinhel town center, making the climb straightforward for most visitors. The site rewards the walk with broad views across the valley and surrounding landscape, so plan enough time to enjoy the vantage point.
Pinhel is known as 'Cidade Falcão', a name rooted in the region's long connection to falconry. This link to the falcon hunting tradition once made the town a center of this noble pursuit during medieval times.
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