Castelo Mendo, Portugal

Explore Castelo Mendo, a historical town surrounded by unique Medieval walls, in Guarda, Portugal.

Castelo Mendo
© Vítor Oliveira

Castelo Mendo is a historical town surrounded by walls built in the 12th century by King D. Sancho I of Portugal.

The name of the town is related with its first governor, D. Mendo Mendes, named by King D. Dinis in the 14th century.

The hamlet is surrounded by walls, six Medieval gates, and composed of simple stone houses. Entrances and gates are utterly narrow, facilitating the defense of the city during the war periods.

In 1229, King D. Sancho II ordered the castle to be further developed, and endowed it with a Carta de Mercado (document allowing the town to hold its own market), allowing for three fairs each years. This town was where the first fair in the whole of Portugal was held. In 1281, D. Dinis ordered the fair to become a feria franca, periodically annually. Nowadays, the original house of the fair is still preserved.

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Location:

Castelo Mendo, Vilar Formoso, Almeida.

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Why "Portugal Travel"?

Portugal Travel is an organization of Portuguese agencies whose objectives are:

✓ To make Portugal, its culture and its heritage known.
✓ To promote sustainable tourism.

In collaboration with:

Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril

Turismo de Portugal

Castelo Mendo, Portugal

Explore Castelo Mendo, a historical town surrounded by unique Medieval walls, in Guarda, Portugal.

Guarda

What to see:

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Other worth-visiting nearby towns and cities:

Why "Portugal Travel"?

In collaboration with: