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The Castle of Monterrey – A Spanish Acropolis

5/11/2014

5 Comments

 
The palace-fortress of Monterrey (O castello de Monterrei) occupies a commanding position on the outskirts of the city of Verín in the province of Ourense. During the Middle Ages, the castle was of major strategic importance due to its close proximity to the Portugese border.
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The Castle of Monterrey
Construction of the exisiting castle began in the 12th century under the supervison of Alfonso Henriquez. Following his victory against the Moors at Campo Ourique in Alentejo in 1139, he was crowned the first king of Portugal.
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A call to arms
Later in its history, in 1366, the castle became the venue for talks between Pedro I, also known as Peter the Cruel and his brother Henry of Castile. Attempts to resolve their family disputes failed. Three years later, Pedro I was murdered at the hands of his brother who went on to become king Henry II of Castile.
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Hospital de Peligrinos
Located just outside the main fortifications is the Hospital de Pelegrinos (Pilgrims Hospital), built in 1391. For those making their way to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Monterrey was an important stop off. The castle intersects three camino routes; Via de la Plata, Caminho Português, and the Camino Sanabrés.
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The Acropolis
Monterrey is the largest castle of its type in Galicia and is aptly named, ‘The Acropolis’. The fortifications were built along an elongated hilltop with excellent defensive qualities and unobstructed views over the surrounding countryside. Within the courtyard of the castle there is a 14 metre deep water well, essential to any defending force.
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Palacio de los Condes
The Palacio de los Condes (Counts Palace) lies within the three walled enclosure. It was built between the 15th and 17th centuries in the renaisance style and features a symetrical upper and lower arcade with arches and columns. Adjacent to the palace is the 14th century Torre das Damas (Tower of the Ladies).
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The church of Santa Maria de Gracia
Beyond that is the church of Santa Maria de Gracia. It’s built in the gothic style and dates from the latter part of the 13th century or early part of the 14th. The belltower is a later addition, built between 1660 and 1661.
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Torre de Homenaxe
Perhaps the castle's most outstanding feature is the Torre de Homenaxe (Homage Tower). Commisioned by Don Sancho Sanchez de Ulloa, the first count of Monterrey, in the 15th century. It is 22.5 metres high with walls 3 metres thick. The chiselled emblems of individual masons are clearly visible on many of the huge granite blocks needed to build this outstanding monument.
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In the distance are the remains of the 17th century watchtower
On a nearby hilltop are the remains of a 17th centruy watchtower, also part of the fortifications.
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The parador of Verin
Today the castle stands guard over the Parador of Verin. It’s a great place to stop for coffee and cake or sample a glass of the local wine. During the summer months, visitors can rest in the gardens and look out at the grapes ripening on the slopes below.

Copyright © 2014 Craig Briggs

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Craig and Melanie own and operate a luxury farmhouse rental property called Campo Verde. To find out more about a stay at Campo Verde and Galicia in general, visit their website getaway-galicia

Craig’s book, Journey To A Dream, is available exclusively from Amazon, to purchase your copy click here for your national Amazon store.

Find out more about Craig, and Galicia or look him up on Facebook
5 Comments
Ian Barber
4/11/2014 11:18:03 pm

Another 'to do' visit. Interesting farmhouse with the crest. Do we know anything about this? Also.....how neat the stonework is on the residential part of the building compared to the smaller side building. Later addition?
Was this region once part of Portugal? .........and why the need to build fortifications and so far north? I didn't think the Moors came this far north or did these fortifications keep them at bay? The Galicians pride themselves on not being tainted by Moorish influences. Once again, scratching the surface of Galician history stirs up more questions about this wonderful part of the world.

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Craig
5/11/2014 06:53:25 pm

Great questions Ian.

To do them justice I'd probably need to write another book.

I'm afraid that I haven't been able to discover anything about the little farmhouse in the picture. I've made a mental note to ask the curator of the palace museum on our next visit.

Prior to 1581, the region we know today as Galicia was part of a much larger region which included northern Portugal, extending as far south as Braga.

The Moors did conquer Galicia in 711 but were driven out less than 30 years later. This probably accounts for the lack architectural evidence of their conquest.

The castle of Monterrey provided a stronghold from which to control a specific area as opposed to being built to deter the Moors.

I find the history of the area, and the characters who moulded this land, fascinating - perhaps I will have to write that book.

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CandyBlackham link
14/11/2014 06:49:02 pm

I have recently returned from a few days in Galicia and loved it! I am posting on my blogsite and have linked to you - found your site through looking up the Pazo de Ulloa in Cambados, and the Count of Monterrey

Reply
Craig
14/11/2014 07:49:57 pm

Hi Candy - Delighted you found my blog and even more so that you loved Galicia. Please paste a link to your blog in the comments. The next time you're in Galicia why not take a look at our farmhouse rental, Campo Verde. It's ideally located in the centre of Galicia for all those daily excursions and is situated in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra - a photographers dream.

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Carmen
14/9/2015 08:32:25 pm

I really enjoyed reading your blog. We visited the castle 2 years ago and loved our visit. There is a church on the site that has 3 upside down heads at the top of the doorway. I've asked different people the significance of this and no one seems to know. I was wondering if you do. I have a picture that I can post or email to you. Just curiosity on my part. Thank you!!

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