Castelo de Vide, Portugal

In Castelo de Vide there are traces of the Megalites. Alfonso III gave the towns of Castelo de Vide, Marvão and Portalegre to his son Alfonse, who did not have a good relationship with his brother King Diniz. When King Diniz get knowledge that his brother was fortifying Castelo de Vide, he decided to attack the village. The battle did not take place because of the arrival of the Message of Aragon. This Message, received in Castelo de Vide, had come to negotiate the marriage of King Diniz with Isabel of Aragon.

In the old town there are picturesque streets with houses from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries with pointed arches and white painted facades. The Jewish quarter, with its 15th century synagogue, is also noteworthy. In Castelo de Vide is also the Yellow House, where the famous statesman Mouzinho da Silveira lived.

The municipal fountain is “Fonte da Vila” made of marble and with an umbrella roof. In the center is a central structure with four tubes and a column with the coat of arms of Portugal, the coat of arms of the city and two figures representing boys.

The castle was rebuilt during the reigns of King Diniz and Alfonso IV. In the 18th century, during the reign of King John V, the castle underwent changes. Today there are several remains of walls, bastions and a watchtower, which was partially destroyed by an explosion in 1705. Above one of the city gates you can see the royal coat of arms, which is depicted in reverse. This coat of arms was put on by order of John I, as a punishment for the city following Princess Beatrix during the crisis of 1383 to 1385.

The church of Nossa Senhora de Alegria, from the 17th century, is covered with tiles inside. The church of São Tiago (John the Baptist) is from the 15th century, it is decorated with tiles from the 18th century, above the portal you can still see the scallop shell (Order of Malta). The chapel of Lord Savior of the World is from the 12th century and is located in the northeast of the city. The interior is covered with white and blue tiles from the 18th century. Next to the high altar is a panel depicting the escape from Egypt.

Text and Photos: Rainer Georgius