Muralhas de Viseu, Medieval defensive wall in Viseu, Portugal
Muralhas de Viseu are medieval defensive walls encircling the old town in an irregular oval shape. Two main gates, Porta dos Cavaleiros and Porta do Soar, remain visible and mark where seven original entrances once controlled access to the center.
The walls were constructed in 1472 under King Afonso V to protect the city during a period of military tension. This structure replaced earlier fortifications and represents how city defense evolved in the late medieval period.
The walls define the character of the old town and frame how residents and visitors move through its narrow streets and steep paths. They serve as reference points that shape daily navigation and create a sense of enclosure around the historic center.
You can freely visit and walk along sections of the walls throughout the day, with information panels at key points. Wearing sturdy shoes is helpful since the areas around the walls have steep and uneven terrain.
Archaeological digs near the walls uncovered Roman burial sites, providing evidence of early human settlement in the region. These findings reveal that the area had been inhabited long before the medieval walls were built.
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