Torre de Lapela, Monção, Portugal

The Torre of Lapela is a ruined medieval castle located next to the Minho River in the town of Lapela, in Monção municipality.

One tower is all that remains of the Castle of Lapela, which was situated a few kilometers downstream from the Castle of Monção, which defended the ford of the Minho. The historians attribute its foundation to Lourenço Gonçalves de Abreu, lord of Merufe, Sanfins, Lapela, Barbeita, Regalados, and other lands of the Alto Minho. It is thought that because he had fought in the Battle of Valdevez next to King Afonso I and his father, Gonçalo Martins Abreu, Afonso I had the castle built and appointed him its first commander.

Constructed of stone ashlar, the square tower measures 10 meters on a side and 35 meters high. Its walls are three meters thick. It has a single entrance on the north facade about 6 meters above the ground, surmounted with the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Portugal.

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User Reviews

Nancy Carvalho (10 months ago)
My favorite place to watch the sunset

Judy O'Neill (2 years ago)
We arrived outside of the time the tower was open, but we were not going to climb it anyhow. Took some photos & walked the town. There is a shady park that is great for a picnic by the water.

Cristiana Lages (2 years ago)
Interesting tower with an interesting history. Take the main road there as the streets in the tiny village are not large. If you have kids, keep a close eye on them as the stairs are not protected from an health and safety perspective.

João Pedro Barral (2 years ago)
Great place to visit. Showing a video with the tower history. The guide was very nice and helpful

Otmar W Baertl (2 years ago)
This is an amazing place,fantastic view with a video in Portuguese but it can be understood, the young lady taking care is super friendly and explained another route tome

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There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

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