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Guimarães Castle

Castles & palaces ·Guimarães ·Closed
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#3Castles & palaces in PortugalMost reviewed in Guimarães
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About

Guimarães Castle is a medieval fortress on Latito Hill in Guimarães, Portugal, associated with the origins of the Portuguese nation.

More photos 11

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Guimarães Castle — The castle’s fortified walls and towers on a grassy slope Dudva · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
Guimarães Castle — The castle’s fortified walls and towers on a grassy slopeGuimarães Castle — Low view of the castle walls beneath dramatic cloudsGuimarães Castle — Castle towers viewed from the west beside a leafy treeGuimarães Castle — The castle entrance and towers framed by a bare treeGuimarães Castle — Stone towers and battlements seen through overhanging branchesGuimarães Castle — Stone stairway climbing to the castle’s battlementsGuimarães Castle — Walkway through the castle walls beside a square towerGuimarães Castle — Inner battlements and stone walkways under a clear skyGuimarães Castle — Castle courtyard with stone walls and a raised wooden walkwayGuimarães Castle — Pointed battlements and a tall tower beneath bare branchesGuimarães Castle — Close view of the castle’s stone walls and rocky base

Why go

  • Afonso Henriques, born in the castle in 1111, lived here.
  • The defenders repelled Henry II of Castile’s siege in 1369.

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 18:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 18:00
Tuesday10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday10:00 – 18:00
Thursday10:00 – 18:00
Friday10:00 – 18:00
Saturday10:00 – 18:00
Sunday10:00 – 18:00

Don't miss

  • KeepThe square keep has a broad walkway at its top where visitors can circulate and look out.Center of the parade ground.
  • Wooden bridgeConnects the west wall walk to the keep entrance.West side of the castle.
  • Alcáçova ruinsThe remains have two floors, exterior windows and two chimneys; they date probably from the 14th century.Along the north wall.
  • Main entrance towersKing John I ordered the two towers flanking the main entrance to be built.Flanking the main entrance.

Interesting facts3

1/3

  1. A medieval well was discovered during installation of new electrical systems.

    Castle of Guimarães - Wikipedia

  2. In the 19th century, Frederick William Flower photographed the castle, making it the first castle photographed in Portugal.

    History – Paço dos Duques
  3. 1836

    A 1836 proposal to demolish the castle and use its stone to pave Guimarães streets failed by one vote in the municipal chamber.

    Castelo de Guimarães - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

  1. 10th c.Built on a countess’s orders to protect the monastery and nearby settlers; its first known documentary reference, dated 4 December 968, names São Mamede Castle.
  2. 11th c.Count Henrique expanded and remodelled the castle. He and D. Teresa chose it as their residence.
  3. 13th–14th c.King Dinis remodelled the castle, adding the keep and wall turrets.
  4. 15th c.Advances in artillery brought the castle’s defensive role to an end.
  5. 16th–17th c.The castle housed the municipal jail in the 16th century and a royal hayloft in the 17th.
Show all
  1. 1910The castle became a National Monument.
  2. 1930sThe castle was repaired after centuries of abandonment and decay.
  3. 2004Excavations inside the castle dated some structures to the 10th century.

Tips for your visit

  • Stairs in the towers lead to the wall walk.

How to get there

  • On footThe castle stands on a small granite hill at the northern edge of the urban area. Pedestrian trails through the surrounding forest park lead to it; a bronze medallion of D. Afonso Henriques beside the southern tower marks the arrival landmark.

On the same route

  • Church of São Miguel do CasteloRomanesque church nearby on the hillside.
  • Palace of the Dukes of BraganzaAlongside the castle.
  • Former city wallSections of the wall survive nearby.

Sources: Castle of Guimarães - Wikipedia · Paço dos Duques – Guimarães | Aqui nasceu Portu… · History – Paço dos Duques · History – Paço dos Duques · Château de Guimarães - Wikipedia · Castelo de Guimarães - Wikipedia · checked 24 Sep 2026

Where
Rua Conde Dom Henrique, Guimaraes

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Can you visit Guimarães Castle?

Yes. Guimarães Castle is open to public visits.

What did the earliest castle look like?

It may have been a simple tower surrounded by an enclosure.

What was the castle used for after its defensive role ended?

It housed the municipal jail in the 16th century and a royal hayloft in the 17th.

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