# Castle of São Ramão

- **Country:** Portugal
- **Coordinates:** 41.736200, -7.858700
- **Location Text:** (Viade de Baixo e Fervidelas, Montalegre)

The Castle of São Ramão is a medieval fortification situated in the civil parish of Viade de Baixo e Fervidelas, within the municipality of Montalegre in the Vila Real district of northern Portugal. Constructed primarily from granite and mortar, the site occupies a strategic location in the Alto Trás-os-Montes region. While the exact year of its original construction is not explicitly recorded in available summaries, historical inquiries from 1258 identify the location as part of the royal properties of São Romanus, confirming its significance during the Middle Ages. The structure represents a blend of military architecture and ancient heritage, with some historical accounts suggesting its foundations may rest upon earlier Roman constructions.

Historically, the castle was described in 1758 Parochial Memories as an impregnable and ancient ruin. Local clergy at the time, such as Father Baltazar Pereira Barroso, argued that the site was built by people of intelligence rather than barbarians, citing nearby vestiges of five Roman roads connecting the area to Braga as evidence of its deep historical roots. Unfortunately, the site suffered significant damage over the centuries when local residents, searching for buried treasures, demolished memorable structures including a painted calf idol and parts of the castle's cistern. Despite these losses, remnants of the fortification and associated sites like the Castle of D. Rodrigo persisted into the modern era.

In terms of current status, the Castle of São Ramão is owned by the Portuguese Republic and managed by DRCPorto. Efforts to preserve the site began in earnest on November 16, 1973, when the National Junta for Education proposed classifying it as a Property of Public Interest. This protection was later reinforced in March 2006 with the establishment of a Special Protection Zone, elevating its status to a Site of Public Interest. Today, the ruins remain open to the public, serving as a tangible link to the region's complex history spanning Roman, medieval, and early modern periods.

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