Penela Castle - Portugal

Christmas is over now but in Penela is still possible to see the Animated Nativity Scene. Until January 5th, Penela Presépio (Nativity) promises a lot of animation, color, music and joy. In addition to the Animated Nativity Scene in the castle, there is also a Christmas market, workshops, the Espinhal Traditional Nativity Scene and the exhibition “Roman Villa of Rabaçal: Once upon a time ...”.

Paula wished me a Merry Christmas with the night view card. The other was sent by Zé Pombal in 2008!!!

Fotografia: Oswaldo Santos

The castle of Penela is a medieval fortress with an irregular shape and curved silhouette, extending in a North-South direction. It takes full advantage of the natural steepness of the hillside, and so the wall varies in height between 7 and 19 meters. It formed part of the defensive line of the Mondego during the Christian Reconquest, and was second only to the castle of Montemor-o-Velho in order of grandeur.

The battles against the Moors and the passing of the centuries made repeated enlargement and restoration of the castle necessary, and so its (re)construction lasted from the 11th to the 16th centuries, by order of various kings, including: D. Afonso Henriques, D. Sancho I, D. Dinis, D. Fernando.

The castle's loss of defensive importance led to its maintenance being neglected, and the population started using the stones in other buildings, damaging it still further. It was restored in the 1940s, the walls and battlements were rebuilt according to what still remained, and the houses in the meantime built against the walls were pulled down. The 18th century bell-tower was also dismantled.
Since 1992 the IPPAR has seen to it that the access roads those within the castle grounds have been paved, the walls have been cleaned and restored and the circuit has been improved with the installation of footpaths around almost all the perimeter.
The occupation of this fortress is now reduced to the church and the priest's house. - in: https://www.cm-penela.pt