Braga Keep

The Braga Keep, locally known as Torre de Menagem (literally Tower of the Tribute), stands in the center of the city of Braga in the Cávado region in Portugal. 

Braga was already a walled settlement in the 3rd century AD when it was under Roman rule.

In 1300, King Denis of Portugal ordered the construction of a castle. Construction progressed slowly, as it was still not finished by 1350, when building materials meant for the castle were used for a new part of the city wall. The castle was an integral part of the city's east wall.

Around 1370, during the first of the Fernandine Wars, Braga was taken by Henry II of Castile. The city was then described as "a great place, but badly circled, with only one tower." After Henry's forces abandoned the castle, they burned the city. Ferdinand I of Portugal began rebuilding the city's defenses in 1378, starting with the city walls. Repair work on the castle began in 1398.

For decades, repair work commenced sluggishly and sometimes paused for years, which led to the walls falling into disrepair again because of feuds, a lack of building materials, and misused funds. These ongoing problems compelled King Afonso V in 1472 to transfer authority over the city and jurisdiction back to Archbishop Luís Pires. When the archbishopric finally finished the work around the mid-16th century, the city was completely enclosed by walls with multiple gates, towers, and a castle.

From the late 16th century onward, as the city expanded, the castle and walls no longer served their defensive purposes. Around 1858, the first parts of the city wall started being demolished. This process continued until 1905, when the castle itself, which had been used as a prison, was also torn down, except for the keep.

The square keep, built in Gothic style, stands about 30 meters tall and features a raised entrance, battlements, and corner machicolations. It is divided into 3 floors.

When I visited, the Braga Keep was only visible from the outside. It didn't appear to be open to the public. A beautiful tower; it's a shame I couldn't go inside.

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