Lanhoso Castle – waiting for you for over 1000 years!
Built on top of an impressive cliff, Lanhoso Castle is one of the most legendary national castles. From the top of this granite monolith, the view over the surrounding mountains and valleys is fantastic!
Built even before the foundation of Portugal, it was the refuge of Countess Teresa, mother of Dom Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, during the conflict with his sister Queen Urraca in 1120. Until the end of the 13th century it was one of the most important castles in the kingdom. During the 13th century its walls witnessed to a love drama involving its alcalde, Dom Rodrigo Gonçalves de Palmeira, his wife and a monk from the convent of Santa Maria do Bouro. Being away for a few days in combat, the alcalde was informed of his wife’s betrayal with a monk! Furious, he immediately returned to the castle, arriving during the night. That same night he confirmed with his own eyes the treason. Obsessed by jealousy, he locked the castle and “caught fire from all four angles, burning his wife, the monk, the servants, the beasts, everything, criminals and innocents”*.
Come with us to know this and other castles in Portugal!
*In Golden Demon of Camilo Castelo Branco
