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{{Geobox|Building
The '''Castle of Vila Nova de Cerveira''' ({{lang-pt|Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira}}) is a [[Castle|medieval castle]] located in the [[Freguesia (Portugal)|civil parish]] of [[Vila Nova de Cerveira e Lovelhe]], [[Concelho|municipality]] of [[Vila Nova de Cerveira]], in the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] [[Viana do Castelo District|district of Viana do Castelo]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = DGPC {{!}} Direção Geral do Património Cultural|url = http://www.patrimoniocultural.pt/en/|website = www.patrimoniocultural.pt|access-date = 2016-02-17}}</ref>
<!-- *** Heading *** -->

| name = Castle of Vila Nova de Cerveira
It was declared a site of public interested on 12 December 1974.<ref>{{Cite web|title = DGPC {{!}} Pesquisa Geral|url = http://www.patrimoniocultural.pt/pt/patrimonio/patrimonio-imovel/pesquisa-do-patrimonio/classificado-ou-em-vias-de-classificacao/geral/view/70700/|website = www.patrimoniocultural.pt|access-date = 2016-02-17}}</ref>{{Infobox building|name = Castle of Vila Nova de Cerveira|image = Vista_do_Castelo_de_Vila_Nova_de_Cerveira.jpg|location = [[Vila Nova de Cerveira]]}}
| native_name = Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira
| other_name =
| category = [[Castle]]
| native_category = Castelo
<!-- *** Image *** -->
| image = Vista_do_Castelo_de_Vila_Nova_de_Cerveira.jpg
| image_caption = A view of the castle in the centre of the municipal seat of Vila Nova de Cerveira
| image_size = 235
<!-- *** Names **** -->
| official_name = Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira/Pousada de D. Diniz
| etymology = [[Vila Nova de Cerveira]]
| etymology_type = Named for
| nickname =
<!-- *** Symbols *** -->
| flag =
| symbol =
<!-- *** Country *** -->
| country = {{flag|Portugal}}
| state_type = Region
| state = [[Norte, Portugal|Norte]]
| region_type = Subregion
| region = [[Minho-Lima Subregion|Minho-Lima]]
| district = [[Viana do Castelo (district)|Viana do Castelo]]
| municipality = [[Vila Nova de Cerveira]]
<!-- *** Locations *** -->
| location = [[Vila Nova de Cerveira e Lovelhe]]
| elevation =
| prominence =
| lat_d =
| lat_m =
| lat_s =
| lat_NS = N
| long_d =
| long_m =
| long_s =
| long_EW = W
<!-- *** Dimensions *** -->
| length =
| length_orientation = Southwest-Northeast
| width =
| width_orientation = Northwest-Southeast
| height =
| depth =
| volume =
| area =
<!-- *** Features *** -->
| author_type = Architects
| author = Alcino Soutinho
| author1 = O. Lixa Figueiras
| author2 = R. Torgo
| style = [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]]
| style1 = [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]]
| material = Mixed masonry
| material1 = Quadratum
| material2 = Vittatum
| material3 = Mixtum
| material4 = Granite
<!-- *** History & management *** -->
| established =
| established_type = Origin
| established1 =
| established1_type = Initiated
| established2 =
| established2_type = Completion
| date =
| date_type =
| owner = [[Portugal|Portuguese Republic]]
<!-- *** Access *** -->
| public = Public
| visitation =
| visitation_date =
| access = ''Rua do Castelo''
<!-- *** UNESCO etc. *** -->
| whs_name =
| whs_year =
| whs_number =
| whs_region =
| whs_criteria =
| iucn_category =
<!-- *** Free fields *** -->
| free = [[IGESPAR|Instituto Gestão do Patrimonio Arquitectónico e Arqueológico]]
| free_type = Management
| free1 =
| free1_type = Operator
| free2 = '''Property of Public Interest'''<br>''Imóvel de Interesse Público''
| free2_type = Status
| free3 = Decree 735/74; Diário do Governo, Série 1, 297 (21 December 1974); Special Protection Zone (ZEP) Dispatch, Diário do Governo, Série 2, 252 (30 October 1946)
| free3_type = Listing
<!-- *** Maps *** -->
| map =
| map_caption = Location of the castle within the municipality of [[Vila Nova de Cerveira]]
| map_background =
| map_locator =
| map_locator_x =
| map_locator_y =
<!-- *** Website *** -->
| commons = Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira
| website =
<!-- *** Footnotes *** -->
| footnotes =
}}
The '''Castle of Vila Nova de Cerveira''' ({{lang-pt|Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira}}) is a [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[castle]] located in the [[Freguesia (Portugal)|civil parish]] of [[Vila Nova de Cerveira e Lovelhe]], in the [[Concelho|municipality]] of [[Vila Nova de Cerveira]], [[Portugal|Portuguese]] [[Viana do Castelo (district)|Viana do Castelo]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Livro das Fortalezas 113- Villa Nova de Cerveira.jpg|235px|left|thumb|The Castle of Cerveira as seen in the ''Livro das Fortelezas'' (1509/1510) of Duarte d'Armas]]

[[File:Livro das Fortalezas 114- Villa Nova de Cerveira.jpg|thumb|235px|left|Another view of the Castle from the ''Livro das Fortelezas'']]
In the 13th century, the castle was included as part of the nuptial dowry of D. Mécia, wife of King D. [[Sancho II of Portugal|Sancho II]].<ref name="SIPA">{{citation |url=http://www.monumentos.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=3484 |title=Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira/Pousada de D. Diniz (IPA.00003484/PT011610150002) |publisher=SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico |editor=SIPA |location=Lisbon, Portugal |language=Portuguese |first=Paula |last=Noé |year=1992 |accessdate=26 August 2016}}</ref> It was also referred to in 1229 in a document referencing the village of [[Elvas]], naming the nobles who signed the charter; Pedro Novães, the tenens of the castle of Cerveira was identified, suggesting that the castle was merely a defensive tower.<ref>The document refers to ''Domus Petrus Novaes tenens castellum''.</ref>

During the 1258 ''Inquirições'' (''Inquiries'') noted the obligations of the residents of Cerveira and its surrounding parishes.<ref name=SIPA/> Carlos Alberto Ferreira de Almeida indicated that the castle of Cerveira, was already known in the 13th century as the ''vila nova'' (''new town''), owing to the original Cerveira being situated in the mountains (possibly over the hilltop of Espírito Santo, in Penafiel, parish of Roboreda), or in Cornes.<ref name=SIPA/>

In 1320, King D. [[Denis of Portugal|Dinis]] ordered that the settlement be colonized.<ref name=SIPA/> To this end, the King issued a [[foral]] (''charter''), with one-third of the supported payments be used for the conservation of the castle.<ref name=SIPA/> The courtyard, limited by the walls was too small for the 100 homes that King D. Dinis expected to settlement the village; ultimately, he accepted the construction of a settlement that was constructed outside the walls. The design if Duarte d'Armas, in his ''Livro das Fortalezas'', indicates that at the beginning of the 16th century, the barrio outside the walls was more complete then those in the interior, including two religious buildings.<ref name=SIPA/>

Following the outbreak of the [[1383–85 Crisis|Portuguese succession crisis]], the castle alcalde and village remained loyal to Castile. In the spring of 1385, the ''Constable'' [[Nuno Alvares Pereira]], after conquering the [[Castle of Neiva]] began a pilgrimage to [[Santiago de Compostela]] and stopped to rest in Vila Nova de Cerveira for the night.

Between the 14th and 15th century, the barbican was constructed under the reigns of King D. [[Ferdinand of Portugal|Fernando]] or King D. [[John I of Portugal|João I]].<ref name=SIPA/> King D. [[Afonso V of Portugal|Afonso V]] (1438-1481) rewarded the exploits of D. Leonel de Lima, during the north Africa campaign by bestowing on him the title of 1st [[Viscount of Vila Nova de Cerveira]] (1476), and giving his possession of the lands of the village. Their successor, King D. [[Manuel of Portugal|Manuel]] reissued the orders to renovate the castle.<ref name=SIPA/>


The construction of the 16th century fortress, resulted from the fear of Spanish threats from across the border during the Restoration Wars, and was included in a line of defenses along the Minho River and Atlantic coast.<ref name=SIPA/> On 25 September 1643, forces of Cerveira resisted attacks by troops loyal to King [[Philip IV of Spain]], with the regions defenses organized by Governor Manuel de Lima e Abreu.<ref name=SIPA/> Following these events, in 1650, the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda was constructed over the barbican. With the continued need to defend the territory, the 7th Viscount of Vila Nova de Cerveira ordered that the settlement be circled with walls, bartizans and four interior bastions (São Miguel, Espírito Santo, Conceição and Almas).<ref name=SIPA/> In addition a half bastian and three smaller redoubts were established along the river. The courtyard had three gates: the Campanha Gate, the Church Gate, Nova Gate and Rio Gate.<ref name=SIPA/> These public works were complete in 1667, under the direction of Field Marshall Francisco Azevedo, supported with the royal taxation on water and fife from the settlers.<ref name=SIPA/>
===Prehistory===
Early human occupation of the site left little evidence to be unearthe, leading to no consensus.


In 1718, Manuel Pinto Vilalobos measured and evaluated the lands in the interior of the fortification, for the purpose of sale in public competition.<ref name=SIPA/>
===Medieval Castle===
The oldest information on its defense is in a charter confirmed by [[Sancho II of Portugal|King Sancho II]] (1223–48) to the village of [[Elvas]] in 1229, where, among the names of the nobles who signed, is that of Peter Novaes, mayor (tenens) of Cerveira Castle (Domnus Petrus Novaes tenens castellum). It is believed that the castle was constituted at the time only in a defensive tower.


But, by 1742, the batteries received a new peice, in order to dominate the Fort of S. Lourenço de Gaião.<ref name=SIPA/>
His successor, [[Denis of Portugal|King Dinis]] (1279-1325), desiring the increased settlement of the region, tried to attract couples to Cerveira. He gave a Foral Charter in 1317.


In 1809, with the defense organized by the aged Colonel Gonçalo Coelho de Araújo (he was 77 years old at the time), the military square resisted Napolean's Second Invasion during the Second Invasion Peninsular Wars, under the command of [[Jean-de-Dieu Soult|Nicolau Jean de Dieu Soult]].<ref name=SIPA/> They were successful in impeding their crossing the river.
Upon the outbreak of the [[1383–85 Crisis|Portuguese succession crisis of 1383-1385]], the mayor of the Castle and the town remained loyal to Castile. In 1385 Spring, the Constable Nuno Alvares Pereira, after conquering the Castelo de Neiva, embarked on a pilgrimage to [[Santiago de Compostela]] in front of his men. They stopped to rest in Vila Nova de Cerveira for the night.


The growth in the local economy and need to support the growing population meant the the keep tower was demolished in 1844, and the following year the Afonsino tower, were partially destroyed to build other structures.<ref name=SIPA/> Between 1845 and 1846, the wall's gates began to slowly be destroyed. With this slow deterioration, the castle slowly lost its importance, resulting in the 1875 authorization to demolish the fortress. The earliest attempt to recover importance of the castle began in 1905, with work done to repair wall cracks.<ref name=SIPA/>
D. Afonso V (1438-1481) rewarded the exploits of Don Leonel de Lima, in the North of Africa campaign, giving him the title of 1st Viscount of Vila Nova de Cerveira (1476) and the possession of the village. This man held him reinforcements in defense.


The DGEMN ''Direcção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais'' (''Directorate General for Buildings and National Monuments'') began work in 1969 on consolidating and treating the the diverse walls, and work was planned in 1977 to continue the consolidation.<ref name=SIPA/> But, between 1977 and 1982, the fortifications and buildings were adapted for the establishment of tha hostel.<ref name=SIPA/> On 6 September 1982, the Pousada de D. Dinis was inaugurated within the interior of the medieval castle. There were a series of projects to benefit these changes on the site, including repaving the battlements, installation of new kitchens, bar and laundry. A project to partially adapt the first and second residences for the installtion of a central phone centre.<ref name=SIPA/> Work continued to recuperate the ceilings and exterior landscaping, alter the laundry ventilation and roadways between 1982 and 1985.<ref name=SIPA/>
Under the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521), the town and its castle are recorded in the census Duarte de Armas (Book of Fortresses, c. 1509).<ref>{{Cite web|title = Monumentos|url = http://www.monumentos.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/Default.aspx|website = www.monumentos.pt|access-date = 2016-02-17}}</ref>


Arcaheological excavations along the ''Rua Costa Brava'' along the medieval castle walls were undertaken in 2002.<ref name=SIPA/>
=== War of Restoration to the modern day ===


In 2004, the castle was approved for the ''Plano Director das Fortalezas transfronteiriças do Vale do Minho'' (''Minho Valley Transborder Fortress Directors Plan''), under the Interreg III Program, which saught to inventory the built inventory, evaluate their state of conservation and determine strategies for preservation.<ref name=SIPA/> The intent of the plan was to valorize, promote and determine the fort spaces in order to promote a cultural and tourist program for the margins of the Minho River.<ref name=SIPA/>
During the [[Portuguese Restoration War|War of Restoration of Portugal's independence]], the population stood victorious, under the command of Manuel de Souza Abreu, from the harassment of Spanish troops in 1643. The village later repeated later in the context of the Peninsular War when the town successfully prevented the crossing of the river by the Napoleonic troops under the command of general [[Jean-de-Dieu Soult|Soult]].


On 22 September 2006, a public presentation of the ''Plano de Pormenor de Salvaguarda do Centro Histórico'' (''Detail Plan for Safeguarding the Historic Centre''), coordinated by members of the municipal council, architect Sandro Lopes and archaeologist Paula Ramalho.<ref name=SIPA/>
Record from the seventeenth century show that the defense of the castle only received once in improvement amidst the Portuguese Independence war. Implemented from 1660 to 1665 at the expense of D. Diogo de Lima, 8th Viscount of Vila Nova de Cerveira, this modernization included the construction of five salient bastions, adapted to artillery fire, complemented by intermediaries and ditches covering the urban perimeter moats. The construction that date from this period include new village gates: the River Gate (West), the Rear Door of the Church (the East), the port of Campana (the North) and the New Port (at the exit to Gondar). It is also during this time that Chapel of Our Lady of Help was built inside the castle at the main gate.


==Architecture==
Twentieth century
[[File:Entrada Castillo Vila Nova de Cerveira.jpg|thumb|235px|The stone gates of the castle]]


[[File:Castillo de Vila Nova de Cerveira Antiga Camara.jpg|thumb|235px|A view of the former municipal seat within the walls of the castle]]
In the twentieth century, the old castle was classified as a National Monument by Decree published on 21 December 1974. Through the donation to the City Council, the walled enclosure (letter of March 22, 1975, began a profound urban reform Vila Nova de Cerveira, recovering up its historic center (Castle, Misericordia Church, the pillory, buildings of the old town hall, court, jail and several dwellings) and revaluing up its tourism potential.


The castle is situated in an urban context, addorsed and distinct on the right bank of the [[Minho River]], over a small portion of the wall, that extends along the border of the city.<ref name=SIPA/> Its interiors are occupied by constructions adapted for their use as hostel, including its restaurant which is distinctly different then the surrounding classified structure.<ref name=SIPA/>
During the nineteenth century, the village's economic growth led to the cannabalism of the defenses for resources. One of the most significant losses was the main tower that suffered partial destruction in 1844, which was followed by the north wall, with the disappearance of the primitive door of betrayal.


The castle has an oval plan, formed with 8 rectangular towers and a line of walls, and integrated into the São Miguel bastion over the river and barbican oriented towards the town. Access to the rounded, barbican gate includes access to the rectangular body integrated with the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda.<ref name=SIPA/> Below this space is the wall, creating an elbow. The frontispiece of the chapel has granite cornerstone, with rectangular pediment and a second floor doorway with interputed frontispiece and varanda.<ref name=SIPA/>
== Features ==
The castle has plant with oval shape, typical of the Gothic style, with walls of stone set crowned by battlements. Its walls are covered by battlement, reinforced by eight turrets of square plan This is the only remainder of one of the ancient boulders standing out and traces of old keep. The castle is accessed by two doors connected by a concourse;
* elegant door Barbican (Porta da Vila) in pointed arch surmounted by the coat of arms of King Dinis, the South, communicating with the yard of the fair;
* Port of Betrayal, single wicket in the North communicating with the bank.
Inside rise up the buildings of the Town Hall and Jail, the pillory, the Church of Mercy, barracks, storerooms and the cistern. At the main entrance of the Barbican, is the Chapel of Our Lady of Help.


The barbican continues towards the east, with circling walls and angular extensions, then tower followed by visible wall.<ref name=SIPA/> Entrance to the castle occurs a double gate: a wall between the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda and tower, surmounted by coat-of-arms and sections of a former balcony; the second is above the tower, through a double vain, surmounted by the coat-of-arms of Portugal.<ref name=SIPA/> Bewtween this tower and the Church of the Misericórdia is a latrine encircled by two cantilevers.<ref name=SIPA/>
The remains of the seventeenth-century modernization of the castle - bastions, watchtowers and trenches - lack of appreciation as a whole, partially absorbed by urban sprawl from the nineteenth century.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Os mais belos castelos e fortalezas de Portugal|last = GIL|first = Júlio|publisher = Editorial Verbo|year = 1996|isbn = 972-22-1135-8|location = Lisbon|pages = |last2 = Carbrita|first2 = Augusto|edition = 4th|publication-place = Lisbon|language = Portuguese|trans-title = The Most Beautiful Castles and Fortresses of Portugal}}</ref>


The interior courtyard is encircled by battlements accessed by stone staircases.<ref name=SIPA/> The visible towers, some with, others without crowns are of different heights, with protruding parapets to the west.<ref name=SIPA/> The bastion, framed with exterior stone, is accesible by a small "traitors" gate alongside a cistern. Among many of the buildings constructed inside the walls are the old residence of the governor, municipal seat, pillory, jail, barracks and storerooms, along with the Church of the Misericórida.<ref name=SIPA/>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


==References==
{{coord|41.9406|N|8.7447|W|source:wikidata|display=title}}
===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em}}
===Sources===
* {{citation |last=Guerra |first=Luís de Figueiredo da |title=Castelos do Distrito de Viana, Sep. de O Instituto |volume=73 |issue=5 |location=Coimbra, Portugal |year=1926 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Peres |first=Damião |title=A Gloriosa História dos Mais Belos Castelos de Portugal |location=Porto, Portugal |year=1969 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Diogo |first=José Leal |contribution=O Castelo de Cerveira |title=Cerveira Nova |publisher=Vila Nova de Cerveira |date=5 July 1971 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Moreira |first=Bastos |contribution=Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira |title=Jornal do Exército |location=Lisboa |date=1 September 1977 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Diogo |first=José Leal |title=Para a História de Vila Nova de Cerveira |publisher=Inventário da Heráldica Concelhia |volume=3, Porto |year=1981 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Diogo |first=José Leal |title=Para a História de Vila Nova de Cerveira. Roteiro de Vila Nova de Cerveira |volume=4 |location=Porto, Portugal |year=1983 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Bandeira |first=Luís Stubbs S. M. |contribution=Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira |title=Mama Sume |issue=19 |date=1 November 1983 |pages=33-36 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Alves |first=Lourenço |contribution=Do Gótico ao Manuelino no Alto Minho (Monumentos Civis e Militares) |title=Caminiana |volume=12 |edition=7 |location=Caminha, Portugal |year=1985 |pages=37-130 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Gil |first=Júlio |title=Os Mais Belos Castelos e Fortalezas de Portugal |location=Lisbon, Portugal |year=1986 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Almeida |first=Carlos Alberto Ferreira de |title=Alto Minho |location=Lisbon, Portugal |year=1987 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Soromenho |first=Miguel |title=Manuel Pinto de Vilalobos da engenharia militar à arquitectura, dissertação de Mestrado em História da Arte Moderna |publisher=FCSH-UNL |year=1991 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Fernandes |first=José Manuel |contribution=Pousadas de Portugal. Obras de raiz e em monumentos |title=Caminhos do Património |pages=159-177 |year=1999 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |title=Plano Director para o Vale do Minho foi posto em marcha. Fortificações sob olho |publisher=Correio do Minho |date=25 August 2004 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |title=Cerveira apresenta plano de salvaguarda do centro histórico |publisher=Diário do Minho |year=19 September 2006 |language=Portuguese}}
* {{citation |last=Lobo |first=Susana |title=Pousadas de Portugal. Reflexos da Arquitectura Portuguesa no Século XX |location=Coimbra, Portugal |publisher=Imprensa Universitária de Coimbra |year=2006 |language=Portuguese}}


[[Category:Castles in Portugal|Vila Nova Cerveira]]
[[Category:Castles in Portugal|Vila Nova Cerveira]]

Revision as of 12:46, 26 August 2016

Template:Geobox The Castle of Vila Nova de Cerveira (Template:Lang-pt) is a medieval castle located in the civil parish of Vila Nova de Cerveira e Lovelhe, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portuguese Viana do Castelo.

History

The Castle of Cerveira as seen in the Livro das Fortelezas (1509/1510) of Duarte d'Armas
Another view of the Castle from the Livro das Fortelezas

In the 13th century, the castle was included as part of the nuptial dowry of D. Mécia, wife of King D. Sancho II.[1] It was also referred to in 1229 in a document referencing the village of Elvas, naming the nobles who signed the charter; Pedro Novães, the tenens of the castle of Cerveira was identified, suggesting that the castle was merely a defensive tower.[2]

During the 1258 Inquirições (Inquiries) noted the obligations of the residents of Cerveira and its surrounding parishes.[1] Carlos Alberto Ferreira de Almeida indicated that the castle of Cerveira, was already known in the 13th century as the vila nova (new town), owing to the original Cerveira being situated in the mountains (possibly over the hilltop of Espírito Santo, in Penafiel, parish of Roboreda), or in Cornes.[1]

In 1320, King D. Dinis ordered that the settlement be colonized.[1] To this end, the King issued a foral (charter), with one-third of the supported payments be used for the conservation of the castle.[1] The courtyard, limited by the walls was too small for the 100 homes that King D. Dinis expected to settlement the village; ultimately, he accepted the construction of a settlement that was constructed outside the walls. The design if Duarte d'Armas, in his Livro das Fortalezas, indicates that at the beginning of the 16th century, the barrio outside the walls was more complete then those in the interior, including two religious buildings.[1]

Following the outbreak of the Portuguese succession crisis, the castle alcalde and village remained loyal to Castile. In the spring of 1385, the Constable Nuno Alvares Pereira, after conquering the Castle of Neiva began a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and stopped to rest in Vila Nova de Cerveira for the night.

Between the 14th and 15th century, the barbican was constructed under the reigns of King D. Fernando or King D. João I.[1] King D. Afonso V (1438-1481) rewarded the exploits of D. Leonel de Lima, during the north Africa campaign by bestowing on him the title of 1st Viscount of Vila Nova de Cerveira (1476), and giving his possession of the lands of the village. Their successor, King D. Manuel reissued the orders to renovate the castle.[1]

The construction of the 16th century fortress, resulted from the fear of Spanish threats from across the border during the Restoration Wars, and was included in a line of defenses along the Minho River and Atlantic coast.[1] On 25 September 1643, forces of Cerveira resisted attacks by troops loyal to King Philip IV of Spain, with the regions defenses organized by Governor Manuel de Lima e Abreu.[1] Following these events, in 1650, the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda was constructed over the barbican. With the continued need to defend the territory, the 7th Viscount of Vila Nova de Cerveira ordered that the settlement be circled with walls, bartizans and four interior bastions (São Miguel, Espírito Santo, Conceição and Almas).[1] In addition a half bastian and three smaller redoubts were established along the river. The courtyard had three gates: the Campanha Gate, the Church Gate, Nova Gate and Rio Gate.[1] These public works were complete in 1667, under the direction of Field Marshall Francisco Azevedo, supported with the royal taxation on water and fife from the settlers.[1]

In 1718, Manuel Pinto Vilalobos measured and evaluated the lands in the interior of the fortification, for the purpose of sale in public competition.[1]

But, by 1742, the batteries received a new peice, in order to dominate the Fort of S. Lourenço de Gaião.[1]

In 1809, with the defense organized by the aged Colonel Gonçalo Coelho de Araújo (he was 77 years old at the time), the military square resisted Napolean's Second Invasion during the Second Invasion Peninsular Wars, under the command of Nicolau Jean de Dieu Soult.[1] They were successful in impeding their crossing the river.

The growth in the local economy and need to support the growing population meant the the keep tower was demolished in 1844, and the following year the Afonsino tower, were partially destroyed to build other structures.[1] Between 1845 and 1846, the wall's gates began to slowly be destroyed. With this slow deterioration, the castle slowly lost its importance, resulting in the 1875 authorization to demolish the fortress. The earliest attempt to recover importance of the castle began in 1905, with work done to repair wall cracks.[1]

The DGEMN Direcção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais (Directorate General for Buildings and National Monuments) began work in 1969 on consolidating and treating the the diverse walls, and work was planned in 1977 to continue the consolidation.[1] But, between 1977 and 1982, the fortifications and buildings were adapted for the establishment of tha hostel.[1] On 6 September 1982, the Pousada de D. Dinis was inaugurated within the interior of the medieval castle. There were a series of projects to benefit these changes on the site, including repaving the battlements, installation of new kitchens, bar and laundry. A project to partially adapt the first and second residences for the installtion of a central phone centre.[1] Work continued to recuperate the ceilings and exterior landscaping, alter the laundry ventilation and roadways between 1982 and 1985.[1]

Arcaheological excavations along the Rua Costa Brava along the medieval castle walls were undertaken in 2002.[1]

In 2004, the castle was approved for the Plano Director das Fortalezas transfronteiriças do Vale do Minho (Minho Valley Transborder Fortress Directors Plan), under the Interreg III Program, which saught to inventory the built inventory, evaluate their state of conservation and determine strategies for preservation.[1] The intent of the plan was to valorize, promote and determine the fort spaces in order to promote a cultural and tourist program for the margins of the Minho River.[1]

On 22 September 2006, a public presentation of the Plano de Pormenor de Salvaguarda do Centro Histórico (Detail Plan for Safeguarding the Historic Centre), coordinated by members of the municipal council, architect Sandro Lopes and archaeologist Paula Ramalho.[1]

Architecture

The stone gates of the castle
A view of the former municipal seat within the walls of the castle

The castle is situated in an urban context, addorsed and distinct on the right bank of the Minho River, over a small portion of the wall, that extends along the border of the city.[1] Its interiors are occupied by constructions adapted for their use as hostel, including its restaurant which is distinctly different then the surrounding classified structure.[1]

The castle has an oval plan, formed with 8 rectangular towers and a line of walls, and integrated into the São Miguel bastion over the river and barbican oriented towards the town. Access to the rounded, barbican gate includes access to the rectangular body integrated with the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda.[1] Below this space is the wall, creating an elbow. The frontispiece of the chapel has granite cornerstone, with rectangular pediment and a second floor doorway with interputed frontispiece and varanda.[1]

The barbican continues towards the east, with circling walls and angular extensions, then tower followed by visible wall.[1] Entrance to the castle occurs a double gate: a wall between the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda and tower, surmounted by coat-of-arms and sections of a former balcony; the second is above the tower, through a double vain, surmounted by the coat-of-arms of Portugal.[1] Bewtween this tower and the Church of the Misericórdia is a latrine encircled by two cantilevers.[1]

The interior courtyard is encircled by battlements accessed by stone staircases.[1] The visible towers, some with, others without crowns are of different heights, with protruding parapets to the west.[1] The bastion, framed with exterior stone, is accesible by a small "traitors" gate alongside a cistern. Among many of the buildings constructed inside the walls are the old residence of the governor, municipal seat, pillory, jail, barracks and storerooms, along with the Church of the Misericórida.[1]

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj Noé, Paula (1992), SIPA (ed.), Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira/Pousada de D. Diniz (IPA.00003484/PT011610150002) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 26 August 2016
  2. ^ The document refers to Domus Petrus Novaes tenens castellum.

Sources

  • Guerra, Luís de Figueiredo da (1926), Castelos do Distrito de Viana, Sep. de O Instituto (in Portuguese), vol. 73, Coimbra, Portugal{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Peres, Damião (1969), A Gloriosa História dos Mais Belos Castelos de Portugal (in Portuguese), Porto, Portugal{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Diogo, José Leal (5 July 1971), "O Castelo de Cerveira", Cerveira Nova (in Portuguese), Vila Nova de Cerveira
  • Moreira, Bastos (1 September 1977), "Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira", Jornal do Exército (in Portuguese), Lisboa{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Diogo, José Leal (1981), Para a História de Vila Nova de Cerveira (in Portuguese), vol. 3, Porto, Inventário da Heráldica Concelhia
  • Diogo, José Leal (1983), Para a História de Vila Nova de Cerveira. Roteiro de Vila Nova de Cerveira (in Portuguese), vol. 4, Porto, Portugal{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Bandeira, Luís Stubbs S. M. (1 November 1983), "Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira", Mama Sume (in Portuguese), pp. 33–36
  • Alves, Lourenço (1985), "Do Gótico ao Manuelino no Alto Minho (Monumentos Civis e Militares)", Caminiana (in Portuguese), vol. 12 (7 ed.), Caminha, Portugal, pp. 37–130{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Gil, Júlio (1986), Os Mais Belos Castelos e Fortalezas de Portugal (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Almeida, Carlos Alberto Ferreira de (1987), Alto Minho (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Soromenho, Miguel (1991), Manuel Pinto de Vilalobos da engenharia militar à arquitectura, dissertação de Mestrado em História da Arte Moderna (in Portuguese), FCSH-UNL
  • Fernandes, José Manuel (1999), "Pousadas de Portugal. Obras de raiz e em monumentos", Caminhos do Património (in Portuguese), pp. 159–177
  • Plano Director para o Vale do Minho foi posto em marcha. Fortificações sob olho (in Portuguese), Correio do Minho, 25 August 2004
  • Cerveira apresenta plano de salvaguarda do centro histórico (in Portuguese), Diário do Minho, 19 September 2006{{citation}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Lobo, Susana (2006), Pousadas de Portugal. Reflexos da Arquitectura Portuguesa no Século XX (in Portuguese), Coimbra, Portugal: Imprensa Universitária de Coimbra
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