Hi,
We seem to be in a pattern of sunny skies and warm days. As such, we are not letting anything stop us from getting out and seeing the sites. This week, we stopped at three castle ruins and one Miradouro, and they did not disappoint us.
Castelo de Numão is a castle ruin near Seixas, Portugal (3PX5+QG Seixas, Portugal). There is not a lot of the castle itself remaining, but the outer wall is still present (complete with several square towers), and the inner grounds still contains walls and partial buildings where the inhabitants would have lived and worked. The entire area, which appears to be about 300 feet across, lies on top of a hill with good views of the mountains and valleys surrounding it. The dogs enjoyed clambering around the scene, and there was no restriction on where they could go.
There is no charge to enter the castle grounds, and there is no charge to park. Although, the parking is limited and is on a narrow dirt road. If you are more athletic, you can park in the village and walk up. However, if you prefer to eschew the climb (as we did), you can drive to the top (it helps if you are not afraid of heights and have a capable vehicle).
Castelo e Vila Muralhada de Ansiães (6M3V+3Q Lavandeira, Portugal) is another hilltop fortress much like Castelo de Numão. Its outer wall is intact, but the interior contains only ruins. Castelo e Vila Muralhada is smaller than Castelo de Numão, but it still takes a while to explore it entirely. The dogs were up for another hour or two at the castle, but we old folks cut them short. Lucky for us, Opal and Onyx did not complain. They are good dogs, and they are happy to be wherever they are.
Parking at this castelo is available close by on the road that leads up to the castle. No charge for parking, and no charge to enter the castle grounds. Dogs are welcome inside and outside of the castle.
Miradouro Rota do Douro (5M4V+VC Beira Grande, Portugal) is an overlook we stopped by on our way to Castelo de Penedono. Driving through the hills on the eastern side of Portugal reveals many noteworthy views, but they are not always in a spot where we can pull over the car and get out. Miradouro Rota do Douro provided us a place where we could get out and soak in the scenery. The dogs were not as impressed as Chris and I were, but that did not stop us from taking pictures and oohing and aahing appreciatively.
Castelo de Penedono (XJQ4+XF Penedono, Portugal) is the most-intact castle ruin we saw this week. It is located inside the town of Penedono, and while the other castelos we visited were mostly walls with protected inner living areas, Castelo de Penedono is a tower fortress with an outer wall that is snug up to it. I’m not sure if it had a second, outer wall in the past that covered more surrounding area, but now the town skirts up against it, coming right up to the stairs leading to the front door. It is a striking castle, with all the hallmarks of a castle (tall towers, crenellations, etc.), barring a moat. But, again, maybe it had a moat before the town engulfed it? I didn’t ask.
The dogs were allowed inside this castle, as the inside is much like the outside. There are no rooms filled with antique furniture and family portraits; it is just a shell of a castle. But there are stairs inside that lead up to the battlements, so fun can be found there. Clambering around the walls is a challenge and a thrill, plus the views are lovely from the heights.
Parking is available on the streets surrounding the castle. No charge, and no charge to enter the castle.
All in all, it was a busy yet very fun week. It seems like Portugal’s good-weather season is upon us, so we will enjoy it as much as possible. Visiting castles is my dream, but maybe soon I can let Chris have a say in where he wants to go. In addition to castles, there are many beautiful buildings, outstanding scenery, storied eateries, ancient monasteries, and all types of museums in Portugal that we have yet to see. But with good weather and a strong wind behind us, we will endeavor to get to them all.
Nola