# Castle of Moreira de Rei

- **Country:** Portugal
- **Coordinates:** 40.828178, -7.320628
- **Location Text:** (Moreira de Rei, Trancoso)

The Castle of Moreira de Rei is a medieval fortification situated in the civil parish of Moreira de Rei, within the municipality of Trancoso in the Guarda district of Portugal. Constructed primarily from granite and stone, the structure stands as a testament to the region's long history of settlement, likely originating on the site of an ancient Castro culture stronghold that was later utilized by the Romans. While the exact construction date of the current stone ruins is not specified, archaeological vestiges suggest the first major structures were erected during the 12th century. The castle is currently owned by the Portuguese Republic and managed by the local municipal authority, remaining open to the public as a historical landmark in the Norte Region.

Historically, the site holds significant importance, with its first written reference appearing in 960 AD in the will of D. Flâmula Rodrigues. The fortress experienced a turbulent past, including its capture by the Moorish leader Almançor in 997 and subsequent reconquest by King Ferdinand I of León in 1055. It played a pivotal role in Portuguese royal affairs, receiving charters from both King Afonso Henriques and King Afonso II. Notably, in 1247, the castle served as a strategic staging ground for King Sancho II shortly before his exile to Toledo. Over the centuries, the surrounding population fluctuated significantly, as recorded in various royal inquiries and censuses between the 15th and 16th centuries.

Today, the Castle of Moreira de Rei exists as well-preserved ruins that offer insight into the military architecture of the Middle Ages. Although specific details regarding its current structural condition are sparse in available records, the site remains accessible for visitors interested in Portugal's defensive heritage. The evolution of the castle from a prehistoric settlement to a Roman outpost, and finally to a key medieval stronghold under the Crown and later noble families like the Fonseca Coutinho, illustrates its enduring strategic value. Its location in the Alto Trás-os-Montes area continues to mark it as a vital piece of the cultural landscape in central Portugal.

![Photo of Castle of Moreira de Rei](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Ru%C3%ADnas%20do%20Castelo%20de%20Castelo%20de%20Moreira%20de%20Rei%20-%20Portugal%20%286324925061%29.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_de_Moreira_de_Rei (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)