Torre de Vilar, Medieval castle in Vilar do Torno e Alentém, Portugal
Torre de Vilar is a five-story granite tower in the Sousa Valley with Romanesque arrow slits cut into its walls. The structure displays the typical design of a medieval residential fortress with thick stone walls and narrow defensive openings.
The tower was built between the second half of the 13th century and the early 14th century by the Riba Vizela family. This period marked when regional nobility strengthened their power through such fortified structures.
The tower represents how local nobility exercised control over the Sousa Valley and protected their lands. Walking through it today, you can sense how this building served both as a family residence and a defensive stronghold.
The tower is accessible via well-marked paths through a spacious park with various trees, so you can reach the building comfortably. Allow time to explore its different levels and take in views of the surrounding valley.
The tower sits within a park created in 2009 that features oak, poplar, walnut, and fruit trees throughout its grounds. This modern landscape design makes a visit rewarding since you can experience history and nature during a single walk.
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