Idanha-a-Velha - Portugal

Idanha-a-Velha was the last of the 12 portuguese Historical Villages that i've visited and I must confess that it was the one I liked the least Maybe it was the heat that discouraged me for a longer walk around the village. No cards found and that didn't help either but fortunately I already had postcards from there. These 2 were sent by Paulo, the 1st last week and the 2nd already a few years ago.

Fotografia: Homem Cardoso

Thanks to its fine collection of ruins, it has some of the country's most important archaeological sites. It stands in a place where a Roman city once lay, the capital of Civitas Igaeditanorum (1st century BC) and later the episcopal seat during occupation by the Suebi and Visigoths. It was occupied by Muslims in the 8th century and taken back by Christians in the 12th century. It was donated to the Knights Templar in the 13th century and still has traces of different ages that attest to permanent occupation by various civilisations.

Both the Parish Church and the Pillory are located at the Church Square.

The Parish Church, once Misericórdia Church is in renaissance style (17th and 18th century) with popular influences.

The pillory is the symbol of Idanha-a-Velha’s municipal independence. It is in Manueline style and classified as property of public interest. It was presumably built in 1510, the year of King Manuel I’s charter. - in: http://www.aldeiashistoricasdeportugal.com/en/idanha-a-velha