Page 219 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

Just to the south of Figueira
de Castelo Rodrigo, topped by
a huge stone Christ the King, is
the highest point of the Serra Border
da Marofa, 977 m (3,205 ft). Castles
Tour
THE BEIRAS
The tiny fortified village of
Castelo Rodrigo still has its
encircling walls built by King Dinis
in 1296, but the fine palace of its
lord, the Spanish sympathizer
Cristóvão de Moura, was burnt Locator Map
down at the Restoration in 1640. For more detail see p192

Christ the King on the summit
of the Serra da Marofa

START Begin your tour at Almeida,
where there are plenty of
places to have breakfast or
lunch. The town’s star-
shaped defences are a finely
preserved example of the
complex but effec tive style
of fortifications developed
by the French engineer,
Vauban, in the 17th century.

Guarded by two stone
FINISH boars, little sur vives of the
castle at Castelo Mendo,
but the distant views from
the fort’s remains make it
the perfect place to end
your drive.

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