Monsanto Castle ( port. Castelo de Monsanto ) - a medieval castle in the Monsanto Fregezia of the village of Idanha a Nova , Castelo Branco Portugal . Located on the top of Monsanto Hill, on the right bank of the Ponsul River, it is part of an architectural ensemble that also includes a number of former estates and temples, as well as the ruins of the Romanesque chapel of San Miguel.
| Castle | |
| Monsanto Castle | |
|---|---|
| Castelo de monsanto | |
 | |
| A country |  Portugal |
| Freesia | Monsanto , Castelo Branco County |
| Status | National monument |
| condition | satisfactory |
| Site | patrimoniocultural.pt/pt... |
History
Little is known about the early development of this region by man. It is traditionally believed that on the site of Monsanto Castle and the village of the same name was a Roman settlement.
During the Reconquista, Afonso Enriques ( 1112 - 1185 ) occupied this region and began to strengthen it in order to protect himself from invasions of the troops of the Kingdom of Leon and Almohad. To keep the region, Monsanto was transferred to the Order of the Templars with the condition of settlement and strengthening of the area.
The construction of the castle, led by the Master of the Order in Portugal, Gwaldin Paix, dates back to this time. Already in 1172 , Monsanto was transferred to the Order of Santiago . Dinish I ( 1279 - 1325 ) initiated the reconstruction and expansion of castle fortifications.
The castle was modernized during the war for the restoration of Portuguese independence . At the same time, the castle chapel of Our Lady was reconstructed.
At the beginning of the XIX century, during the Pyrenees wars , the castle lost five towers, but at the same time received new fortifications of the entrance gate. A few years later, an explosion in a powder cellar caused significant damage to the castle. With the outflow of the population from the village of Monsanto, the castle lost its significance and began to become desolate.
September 29, 1948 the castle and its walls were declared a national monument.
Architecture
The castle is located at an altitude of 758 meters above sea level and has a polygonal layout adapted to the terrain. The walls are fortified with square towers. The walls form two spaces - the inner courtyard (rectangular) and the outer courtyard (oval, bordering the village).