Metelos Tower

The Metelos Tower, locally known as Torre dos Metelos, stands in the village of Freixeda do Torrão in the Beiras e Serra da Estrela region in Portugal.

The tower dates back to the 15th century and was likely an addition to a noble residence. It originally served as the residence and stronghold of the Metelos family, a local lineage of knights and minor nobility who held lands in the frontier zone between Portugal and Castile.

In the 17th century, a manor house, known as the 'Solar dos Metelos', was built adjacent to the tower. It was connected to the tower by a passageway on the first-floor level, above the street.

At the start of the 19th century, during the Peninsular War, the surrounding area was devastated by Napoleonic troops. However, due to the village's isolated location, the manor and its tower were simply ignored. By that time, the tower had already lost its function as a fortification and was probably abandoned.

In 1930, the tower and manor house were sold. The new owners demolished several parts of the manor, including the arch that supported the passageway connecting the tower to the north wing of the manor.

Constructed from granite, the Metelos Tower features a square plan with 3 floors and 3 machicolated balconies.

Today, the tower is private property and not open to the public. A charming tower in a sleepy rural village.

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