The Valença Fortress, sometimes called Valença do Minho, is located in the city of Valença, district of Viana do Castelo, North region and sub-region of Alto Minho.
The Valença Fortress traces the memories of 2000 years of historical adventures in Portugal and Spain, a jewel of military architecture with a rampart of 5 km and considered a multicultural Living Fortress.
The houses, the military buildings, the churches, the views of the River Minho, the old metal bridge and the medieval Tui complete a unique picture.
Valença, which was a military bastion defending Portugal's independence, is today a space open to the world and a symbol of relations between Portugal and Spain
The houses, the military buildings, the churches, the views of the River Minho, the old metal bridge and the medieval Tui complete a unique picture.
Valença, which was a military bastion defending Portugal's independence, is today a space open to the world and a symbol of relations between Portugal and Spain
History of Valença and its fortress that led to its development
The history and origins of the development of Valença are closely linked to the presence of King D. Sancho I and he decided to begin a series of attempts to occupy the towns of Tui and Pontevedra.
In the context of these conflicts between Portugal and Spain, Valença, known at the time as Contrasta, gained unprecedented prominence around 1200.
Contrasta's strategic position, between the River Minho and the old Roman road, was the ideal place to monitor Galician attacks and plan attacks on Pontevedra and Tuy.
The importance that the ancient Roman road gains as a place of pilgrimage towards the tomb of Santiago, where pilgrims and travelers from all over the Iberian Peninsula converge.
The events led King Sancho I to grant his first charter and decided to build a permanent defensive construction affirming a natural border line that the river established.
D. Afonso II granted the charter on August 11, 1217, covering a set of benefits and privileges for the inhabitants of Contrasta.
Contrasta (current Valença) which at this time assumed, from a geostrategic point of view, a reinforced status in the context of Minho's relations with Galicia, becoming the main crossing point between the two regions.
In the year 1262, Contrasta changes its name to Valença and a profound reform of the town's military system takes place, with the walls covering the entire town by decision of D. Afonso III.
The fortification of Valença dates back to the transition from the 12th to the 13th century and was intended to defend the town and the crossing of that stretch of the river.
In the 17th century, in the context of the Wars of the Restoration of Portuguese Independence, an impressive rampart fortification with overlapping levels was built to make better use of the local topographical conditions.
A grandiose project that was seen as a work of propaganda and a threat to neighboring Spain.
In the context of the War of Restoration of Portuguese independence, the fortification was renovated with a project by the Frenchman Miguel de l''Ècole, the walls were rebuilt to embrace the expanded perimeter of the town and new bastioned structures: Crowned with three bastions (Santa Ana, São Jerônimo and Santa Bárbara) and two half-bastions (São José and Santo Antônio), new moats were opened over embankment reliefs, ravelins for defense of some curtains seven new bastions: Carmo, Esperança, Faro, Lapa, São Francisco, São João and Socorro.
The works continued in 1661 and its last architect was Manuel Pinto de Vilalobos, who, largely taking advantage of the master's plans, began the task at the end of 1691 and concluded it in 1713.
At the end of the 18th century, the walls of the Gunpowder Magazine were reinforced and the Butcher's Magazine was built (1774).
In the Liberal Wars, it surrendered after nine days and was only reconquered by the liberals in 1830 with the reinforcement of the English admiral Charles Napier.
The most important fortification in Alto Minho was the subject of several restoration interventions throughout the 20th century, the structures that have come down to us are in good condition and open to public visits.
In the context of these conflicts between Portugal and Spain, Valença, known at the time as Contrasta, gained unprecedented prominence around 1200.
Contrasta's strategic position, between the River Minho and the old Roman road, was the ideal place to monitor Galician attacks and plan attacks on Pontevedra and Tuy.
The importance that the ancient Roman road gains as a place of pilgrimage towards the tomb of Santiago, where pilgrims and travelers from all over the Iberian Peninsula converge.
The events led King Sancho I to grant his first charter and decided to build a permanent defensive construction affirming a natural border line that the river established.
D. Afonso II granted the charter on August 11, 1217, covering a set of benefits and privileges for the inhabitants of Contrasta.
Contrasta (current Valença) which at this time assumed, from a geostrategic point of view, a reinforced status in the context of Minho's relations with Galicia, becoming the main crossing point between the two regions.
In the year 1262, Contrasta changes its name to Valença and a profound reform of the town's military system takes place, with the walls covering the entire town by decision of D. Afonso III.
The fortification of Valença dates back to the transition from the 12th to the 13th century and was intended to defend the town and the crossing of that stretch of the river.
In the 17th century, in the context of the Wars of the Restoration of Portuguese Independence, an impressive rampart fortification with overlapping levels was built to make better use of the local topographical conditions.
A grandiose project that was seen as a work of propaganda and a threat to neighboring Spain.
In the context of the War of Restoration of Portuguese independence, the fortification was renovated with a project by the Frenchman Miguel de l''Ècole, the walls were rebuilt to embrace the expanded perimeter of the town and new bastioned structures: Crowned with three bastions (Santa Ana, São Jerônimo and Santa Bárbara) and two half-bastions (São José and Santo Antônio), new moats were opened over embankment reliefs, ravelins for defense of some curtains seven new bastions: Carmo, Esperança, Faro, Lapa, São Francisco, São João and Socorro.
The works continued in 1661 and its last architect was Manuel Pinto de Vilalobos, who, largely taking advantage of the master's plans, began the task at the end of 1691 and concluded it in 1713.
At the end of the 18th century, the walls of the Gunpowder Magazine were reinforced and the Butcher's Magazine was built (1774).
In the Liberal Wars, it surrendered after nine days and was only reconquered by the liberals in 1830 with the reinforcement of the English admiral Charles Napier.
The most important fortification in Alto Minho was the subject of several restoration interventions throughout the 20th century, the structures that have come down to us are in good condition and open to public visits.
Characteristics of the Valença Fortress
What remains of the medieval fortress dates back to the reign of D. Afonso III, who ordered a major reform of the town's military system, whose walls began to encompass the entire town in 1262.
At Porta do Açadogue, facing north, it is still possible to see the existence of a medieval shield on the closing stone.
The "Gambiarra" door facing east was the main entrance to the fortress leading to the riverside area and the boat that crossed the Minho.
A triumphal entrance with great scenographic impact and where the identifying elements of royal patronage were concentrated, consisting of a passage flanked by two imposing quadrangular towers.
At the end of the Middle Ages, as Duarte d'''' Armas designed, the Afonsine fortress was complemented by barbicans and a breastplate that reveal its importance in the period of transition to gunpowder warfare.
In the 17th century, Valença was one of the locations most exposed to Spanish attacks, whose troops tried to take it in 1643 and 1657.
The privileged location on the Minho River and the conditions of the terrain made it possible to build one of the most significant military achievements in the History of Portugal.
The project was due to Miguel de l'''' École, a military engineer with other documented work in fortresses in Alto Minho, starting work in 1661.
The fortress was only formally completed in 1713, the year in which a plan by its last architect Manuel Pinto de Vilalobos lists it as completed, although there are references to the construction of bastions in the following years.
Half a century of work radically altered the appearance of Valença and the relationship between the town and the river, separated by a gigantic network of bastions and levels communicating with each other through moats and overpasses.
The reconstruction of the defenses that transformed Valença into a stronghold, the town never separated from the river by an expressive network of bastions that communicate with each other through moats and underpasses.
The Fortress planimetrically consists of a set of bastions, ravelins and moats in two large areas that communicated through the so-called Middle Gate: the North sector, which covers the old timber town, and the South sector, a smaller and more open area: the so-called Coroada.
Surrounding the two spaces, a dense network of bastions and moats guaranteed the isolation of this entire area and allowed a wide area of visibility and fire.
Currently, when we travel through the interior of the Valença Fortress it is possible to clearly identify these two areas with approximately 5 km of walled perimeter. The defensive bastion system of Valença is made up of 10 bastions and two half bastions.
At this time, the bastions of Lapa, Esperança and Faro were created, the so-called Paiol do Açadogue (Former Gunpowder Warehouse) built in 1715 on the west side of the Square and the Paiol do Campo de Marte given the unique characteristics of its interior.
The military work was considered a great innovation for the time using the bastion fortification technique.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Valença was the most important Praça-Forte in Minho and one of the most important on the entire Portuguese border.
At Porta do Açadogue, facing north, it is still possible to see the existence of a medieval shield on the closing stone.
The "Gambiarra" door facing east was the main entrance to the fortress leading to the riverside area and the boat that crossed the Minho.
A triumphal entrance with great scenographic impact and where the identifying elements of royal patronage were concentrated, consisting of a passage flanked by two imposing quadrangular towers.
At the end of the Middle Ages, as Duarte d'''' Armas designed, the Afonsine fortress was complemented by barbicans and a breastplate that reveal its importance in the period of transition to gunpowder warfare.
In the 17th century, Valença was one of the locations most exposed to Spanish attacks, whose troops tried to take it in 1643 and 1657.
The privileged location on the Minho River and the conditions of the terrain made it possible to build one of the most significant military achievements in the History of Portugal.
The project was due to Miguel de l'''' École, a military engineer with other documented work in fortresses in Alto Minho, starting work in 1661.
The fortress was only formally completed in 1713, the year in which a plan by its last architect Manuel Pinto de Vilalobos lists it as completed, although there are references to the construction of bastions in the following years.
Half a century of work radically altered the appearance of Valença and the relationship between the town and the river, separated by a gigantic network of bastions and levels communicating with each other through moats and overpasses.
The reconstruction of the defenses that transformed Valença into a stronghold, the town never separated from the river by an expressive network of bastions that communicate with each other through moats and underpasses.
The Fortress planimetrically consists of a set of bastions, ravelins and moats in two large areas that communicated through the so-called Middle Gate: the North sector, which covers the old timber town, and the South sector, a smaller and more open area: the so-called Coroada.
Surrounding the two spaces, a dense network of bastions and moats guaranteed the isolation of this entire area and allowed a wide area of visibility and fire.
Currently, when we travel through the interior of the Valença Fortress it is possible to clearly identify these two areas with approximately 5 km of walled perimeter. The defensive bastion system of Valença is made up of 10 bastions and two half bastions.
At this time, the bastions of Lapa, Esperança and Faro were created, the so-called Paiol do Açadogue (Former Gunpowder Warehouse) built in 1715 on the west side of the Square and the Paiol do Campo de Marte given the unique characteristics of its interior.
The military work was considered a great innovation for the time using the bastion fortification technique.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Valença was the most important Praça-Forte in Minho and one of the most important on the entire Portuguese border.
