Castle Guimarães / Portugal description:This castle orginates from the 10th century. It's construction was ordered by duchess Mumadona, in order to protect the abbeye against the attacks by the Muslims and the Normen.
During the 12th century, it became King Alfonso Herniques' (1111 till 1185) residence.
In the 12th and 13th century, several changes were done in order to make the castle stronger.
According to the legends, the first Portugese king was borne in this castle> Generally, the city of Guimaraes - and this castle - are considered as the place of birth of the Portugese country.
In 1836, the end of the castle was very close. After the fact that King Miguel had used the castle as prison for political ennemies, plans existed to break it off and use the stone for raods in the city. But this never happened, and by it was a national monument. In 1937m, large scale restauration works started.
The castle consists of defensive walls ending on wallwalks carrying merlons and embrasures, and large turrets. In the centre, there is a huge donjon which can be reached voa a bridge from the wallwalks.
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