Penedono Castle Portugal

Penedono Castle, also referred to as Castelo do Magriço, in Beira Alta, is located in the parish of Penedono and Granja, in the town and municipality of Penedono, in the district of Viseu, in Portugal.

In a dominant position over the town, this small medieval structure constitutes a mix of defensive fortification and manorial residence.

Penedono Castle has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

History

Background

Human occupation of the site certainly dates back to pre-Roman times, although it is not possible to say exactly.

Penedono Castle, Portugal.

The medieval castle

The oldest documentary sources mention this area only at the time of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula to the Moors, regarding the repopulation of the region after the victory of the forces of Ramiro II de Leão in the battle of Simancas (939). The defense of this part of the territory was entrusted to Rodrigo Tedoniz, husband of Leodegúndia (sister of Mumadona Dias) with whom he fathered D. Flâmula (or Chamoa Rodrigues). Rodrigo would become mayor of the sovereign's castles and, in this role, he would have determined the rebuilding of Penedono Castle. Subsequently, in 998 of the Hispanic Era (960 of the Christian Era), Chamoa Rodrigues, finding herself seriously ill, was taken to the Monastery of Guimarães, appointing her aunt Mumadona as executor, with the responsibility of disposing of her assets for the purposes of charity. Among them, included a series of castles and their respective people (penellas et populaturas) on the border of Beira Alta, including this one, Penela.