Sortelha - Sortelha Castle I

March 6, 2011

Sortelha- Sortelha Village/Castle

Description: is an authentic medieval fortress, which is now buried in ruins, but there is much to show its guests on the architecture of past centuries and an interesting story that is bound to the region. Sortelha Castle is located only 14 kilometers from the Portuguese settlement of Sabugal.

The fortress stands cooled on top of a rocky hill and its fortress walls are surrounded by a stunning landscape at this elevation. Indeed, once upon a time the city was located entirely beyond the walls of Sortelha.

The castle was erected there primarily for defensive purposes and from the final construction days it plays a crucial defensive role. Sortelha Castle was built in 1228 by King Sancho II.

He chose the location very carefully, resulting that the Sortelha Castle started to be built at 760 m on a high plateau. Later the medieval defensive structure was strengthened and renovated by Kings Dinis and King Fernando.

Sortelha Castle was an important defensive structure and was maintained because of its splendid location which allowed a perfect view of the entire region, which in itself is one step ahead of the action potential enemy.