Castle of Castelo Mendo

The Castle of Castelo Mendo is located in the municipality of Castelo Mendo, Portugal. This site reveals a long history of human settlement that began well before the medieval era, with origins traced to an early proto-historic castro settlement, later adapted during the Roman period.

The castle’s initial medieval construction dates back to the late 12th or early 13th century, likely under the rule of King Sancho I of Portugal (1185–1211). By 1229, during the reign of King Sancho II, the settlement was granted a Foral Charter from Vila do Touro. This charter established the first official fair in the kingdom, held three times a year, and included mention of the castle and its then alcaide (castle governor), Mendo Mendes.

Throughout the late medieval period, the castle and village formed part of the Ribacôa territory, a border region contested between neighboring powers. In 1297, the Treaty of Alcanices secured this land definitively for Portugal under King Dinis (1279–1325). Recognizing the strategic importance of the site, King Dinis confirmed the village’s Foral in 1281 and introduced a tax-free fair. This prosperity enabled the construction of a second defensive wall and the keep tower, also known as the Torre de Menagem. These efforts strengthened the castle as part of broader border fortification during his reign.

However, following a peaceful period, the village and castle experienced economic and demographic decline. By the reign of King João I (1385–1433), the area had become a refuge for outlaws. The castle’s deterioration was recorded in the early 16th century by Duarte de Armas in his “Livro das Fortalezas” (Book of Fortresses), around 1509, indicating its condition had deteriorated by that time.

Centuries later, during the Peninsular War, a small garrison of nineteen soldiers defended the village against French troops led by Marshal André Masséna. The village eventually lost its status as a municipal seat in 1855, which accelerated its decline further.

In 1946, the castle was formally recognized as a National Monument. This designation led to restoration and consolidation efforts managed by the Directorate-General for National Buildings and Monuments (DGEMN). These works involved rebuilding sections of walls, gates, and towers, although some interventions altered the structure’s original medieval appearance. Additionally, the former Town Hall and Jail building was repurposed as a museum exhibiting artifacts from the Roman period, showcasing the long history of occupation at the site.