In the tenth century, the Countess of Galicia, D. Mumadona Dias constructed the fabulous fort known as Guimaraes Castle in order to safeguard the city of Guimaraes against the attacks of the Normans (The Vikings) and the Arab invaders (Moors).In the 11th century when Count Henrique attained the government of the province from King D. Alfonso VI of Leon, Guimaraes Castle was further extended with further towers and the original wall was made wider. The castle became the official royal residence in 1139, when Portugal got freedom from the Kingdom of León, until circa 1200.
But right after this, castle of Guimaraes was affected by several battles and deteriorated by the Spanish intruders for their vanity to hold the Portuguese below their influence. The castle was relinquished time and once again. Guimaraes was utilized as a prison, barn, and quarry.
On 19 March 1881, the Diário do Governo listed the Guimaraes Castle as the most unusual historic monument of the entire region of Minho.
Restoration function was started in 1930 when the Portuguese government declared Guimaraes Castle as the symbol of nationality. It, in reality, represents the birth of the nation and is featured as the ‘Cradle of the Nation’ due to the fact it is the birth spot of D. Afonso Henriques who created the wars for the freedom of the Portugal province in the course of the 12th century, and became the 1st Portuguese king.
Nowadays Guimaraes Castle is the most fabulous historic internet site of Portugal. The castle has been classified as a single of the New Portuguese Seven Wonders. And it is also a globe heritage website declared by UNESCO.
0 comments:
Post a Comment