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Fortaleza de Valença

Fortresses & city walls ·Valença ·Open now
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#1Things to do in ValençaMost reviewed in ValençaTravelers' Choice 2025
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About

Fortaleza de Valença is a fortified town in Valença, Portugal, beside the Minho on the border with Galicia.

More photos 11

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Fortaleza de Valença — Panoramic view of the fortress walls and town PQ3 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
Fortaleza de Valença — Panoramic view of the fortress walls and townFortaleza de Valença — Stone ramparts and bastions overlooking the surrounding townFortaleza de Valença — Fortress bastions and grassy defensive grounds from aboveFortaleza de Valença — Long stone walls and grassy moat inside the fortressFortaleza de Valença — Fortress grounds with a low arched passage through the rampartsFortaleza de Valença — Ornate stone entrance set into the fortress wallFortaleza de Valença — Fortress wall and bastion beside a grassy moatFortaleza de Valença — Close view of the weathered stone rampartsFortaleza de Valença — Tall stone fortress wall and corner sentry postFortaleza de Valença — Sentry post above the fortress walls and earthworksFortaleza de Valença — Stone sentry post built into the fortress ramparts

Why go

  • 5.5 kilometres of defensive walls.
  • Fortifications across two hilltops above the Minho, facing Tui and Galicia.
  • The fortress has been a Portuguese national monument since 1928.

Opening hours

Today00:00 – 23:59Show all
Monday00:00 – 23:59
Tuesday00:00 – 23:59
Wednesday00:00 – 23:59
Thursday00:00 – 23:59
Friday00:00 – 23:59
Saturday00:00 – 23:59
Sunday00:00 – 23:59

Don't miss

  • CoroadaThe smaller, more open southern sector has the Santa Ana, São Jerônimo and Santa Bárbara bastions, plus the São José and Santo Antônio half-bastions.Southern sector
  • Northern old townThe historic town occupies the fortress’s northern sector.Northern sector
  • Porta do MeioThe gate links the northern old town and southern Coroada.Between the northern and southern sectors

Know before you go

  • The fortress is open to visitors 24 hours daily.

What's inside

  • Six forts
  • Three posterns
  • Two powder magazines
  • 10 casemates

Tips for your visit

  • The surviving fortress structures are open to the public.

Interesting facts3

1/3
  1. 34 sentry

    The fortification has 34 sentry boxes and 214 embrasures.

    Património – Portal Municipal de Valença

  2. The complex includes six forts, three posterns and two powder magazines.

    Património – Portal Municipal de Valença
  3. 10 casemates

    The fortification contains 10 casemates.

    Património – Portal Municipal de Valença

Shorts

History

Conservation and restoration work continued through the 20th century. The surviving structures remain in good condition.

  1. 12th–13th centuriesThe first fortification defended the settlement and a crossing of the Minho River.
  2. Portuguese Restoration WarThe defenses were rebuilt to enclose more of the town.
  3. 1643The fortress repelled a Spanish incursion while construction was underway.
  4. 1654Spanish forces captured the fortress; Portuguese troops led by the Conde de Castelo Melhor soon retook it.
  5. 1713Work continued in 1661 and was completed in 1713 under Manuel Pinto de Vilalobos.
Show all
  1. 1774The Paiol do Açougue was built and the walls of the Paiol da Pólvora were reinforced.
  2. 1809Napoleonic troops under Jean-de-Dieu Soult captured the fortress and blew up the Porta do Sol.
  3. 1828–1830The town joined the liberal side and surrendered after a nine-day royalist siege in 1828. Liberals retook it in 1830 with support from English admiral Charles Napier.

Sources: Place forte de Valença - Wikipedia · Valença (Portugal) - Wikivoyage (see) · Portal Municipal de Valença – Viver sem Frontei… · Contactos – Portal Municipal de Valença · Património – Portal Municipal de Valença · Praça-forte de Valença - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
Rua Mouzinho de Albuquerque 79, Valenca

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What is the street address of Fortaleza de Valença?

Rua Mouzinho de Albuquerque 79, Valença.

Is Fortaleza de Valença a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

It is a candidate for UNESCO recognition; candidacy is not inscription.

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