CARRAZEDA DE ANSIÃES

Archaeological research has shown the mount where the castle lies has seen human occupancy for about 5000 years. Much of the foundations of what now can be seen date back to the Moorish occupancy of the area. During the mid-11th century, the Leonean King Ferdinand gave the settlement its first charter. During the Reconquista, the site was of vital strategic importance to the Christian victors who aimed to strengthen their hold on their fledgeling country. From the 12th to the 15th century Ansiães experienced a period of exponential growth and its neighbouring towns became an important centre of trade.

Rising 810 metres above sea level the rampart ruins, whose structure is easy to imagine, include a few areas of interest, such as a small Traitors' Gate alongside the keep tower and remnants of barbicans running along the walls and examples of primitive cisterns. However, as political agendas changed the town's importance fell redundant and the site suffered slow steady abandonment and power was transferred to the neighbouring town of Carrazeda. The site is now deemed a national monument, a reception centre was constructed in 2004 insuring the site remains an insight into medieval life for today's visitors. | 41° 12' 08.7" N | 07° 18' 18.1" W.

Igreja de São Salvador

Just outside the perimeter walls of the castles are the remains of two medieval chapels, the most preserved of which is the 12th-century Igreja de São Salvador. It's widely considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture of its kind. The most striking feature is the highly decorated west door, its archway emblazoned with the Apostles, one of whom is thought to be Judas as he seems to have the devil sitting on his lap. It was restored in the 15th century only to be abandoned at the same time as the castle.

Located within the historic area of Carrazeda de Ansiães, the CICA, Interpretative Centre of the Castle of Ansiães allows visitors to come face to face with the history of the municipality. Built within the ruins of a traditional house, the exhibit occupies an open space spread over two floors. Here you'll find archaeological artefacts and a museographic discourse based on ten years of archaeological research carried out throughout the region, in particular from inside the castle and the walled village of Ansiães.

The Castelo de Ansiães Interpretive Centre has an educational service that prepares several thematic workshops and guided tours for schools or groups. It also organises two tourist circuits, the “Circuito Turístico do Castelo e dos Moinhos” and the “Circuito Turístico do Castelo e Douro”, which start in February and end in September. Visits are free as well as participation in tourist routes.

Weekdays: 09h00 - 12h30/13h30 - 17h00, Weekends: Prior Booking Required
Rua Capitão Lobo, 5140-063 Carrazeda de Ansiães, Portugal. | 41° 14' 43.2" N | 07° 18' 01.3" W
+351 278 618 253/278 610 200 | cica@cmca.pt

Casa dos Cantoneiros "Foz-Tua Wine House" is a new space dedicated to the promotion and commercialisation of wine and regional products produced in the municipality of Carrazeda de Ansiães. The former Casa dos Cantoneiros was transformed into a "Wine House", where visitors have the opportunity to sample and buy wine, cheese, sausages, jams and dried fruit. This space is equipped with an exhibition room with a shop, a wine tasting room, a small auditorium and a terrace overlooking the rivers Tua and Douro.

Strategically located on one of the main roads into the area, Casa dos Cantoneiros "Foz Tua Wine House" also functions as a regional tourist office.

Low Season: Wednesday – Sunday: 14h00 – 18h00
High Season: Tuesday – Sunday: 14h00 – 20h00
Casa dos Cantoneiros " Foz Tua Wine House", 214 Estrada Nacional, 5340 - 133 - Foz Tua, Portugal.
41° 12' 42.9" N | 07° 25' 43." W
+351 278 098 479 | casadoscantoneiros@cmca.pt

Seven miles (11km) west of Carrazeda de Ansiães in Ribalonga are the ancient and enigmatic rock paintings of Cachão da Rapa. Classified as a National Monument in 1943, this collection of 30 or so rock paintings date back to Post-Palaeolithic, probably early Chalcolithic times. Although first studies on this important rock art site were carried out by Jerónimo Contador de Argote in 1738. The site was almost forgotten until 1933 when the Portuguese scholar Santos Júnior published revised drawings of the pictographs which remains still the most complete study of the site. It's academically believed that many of the geometric shapes, predominantly rectangular and circular, are abstracted human forms. The paintings were designed using red and dark blue pigments, the blues are unique in the Iberian rock art tradition. The site can be accessed just off the M634.

Ribalonga, 5140-224 Carrazeda de Ansiães, Portugal.
41° 13' 15.3" N | 07° 23' 25.9" W