Castillo de Monterrei

Galicia

LoginSave

Looming on a hilltop outside Verín, the main structures of the doughty Monterrei Castle, including the mighty keep and the counts' palace, date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Parts of the castle are occupied by a parador hotel, but the keep, towering over the rest of the complex, is open to all (as is the cafe), and free guided visits of the whole castle are given at least twice on opening days (times vary; call ahead).

From Verín drive 2km west along the OU115, then 3km up the signposted road to the castle.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Mosteiro de Santa Maria das Júnias

    Mosteiro de Santa Maria das Júnias

    26.65 MILES

    Built on the site of a 9th-century pre-Romanesque hermitage, this lovely 12th-century Benedictine monastery in a remote river valley fell under the sway…

  • Torre de Menagem

    Torre de Menagem

    14.35 MILES

    The lovely Torre de Menagem (castle keep) stands alone on a grassy embankment behind Chaves' main square, the only major remnant of a 14th-century castle…

  • Dine

    Dine

    26.93 MILES

    One of the prettiest, best-preserved villages in the western half of the park, Dine is home to a tiny archaeological museum, which documents the 1984 find…

  • Forte de São Francisco

    Forte de São Francisco

    14.09 MILES

    Reached by a drawbridge and bordered by a park with floral designs, hedges and grand old oaks, the 17th-century Forte de São Francisco is the centrepiece…

  • Moimenta

    Moimenta

    24.45 MILES

    Moimenta has a lovely core of granite houses roofed in terracotta, plus a small baroque church – a rare dose of luxury in this austere corner of Portugal…

  • Ponte Romana

    Ponte Romana

    14.43 MILES

    Chaves’ handsome, 140m-long Roman-era bridge makes a lovely place for a car-free stroll. The span was completed in AD 104 by order of Emperor Trajan …

  • Museu da Região Flaviense

    Museu da Região Flaviense

    14.34 MILES

    Small but interesting, this regional archaeological-ethnographic museum has lots of Roman artefacts, plus a collection of pre-Roman jewellery, bronze…

  • Capela de São João de Fraga

    Capela de São João de Fraga

    28.21 MILES

    Standing alone on a rocky mountaintop, this whitewashed chapel surrounded by rugged peaks is an important pilgrimage site for the residents of Pitões das…

View more attractions

Nearby Galicia attractions

1. Terra do Gargalo

0.38 MILES

On the approach road to the Castillo de Monterrei, Terra do Gargalo is a modern winery producing good reds and whites. It's run by noted Galician fashion…

2. Crego e Monaguillo

4.12 MILES

An old winery with modern installations a few kilometres west of Verín, Crego e Monaguillo produces a notably good red (Crego e Monaguillo Tinto) from the…

3. Forte de São Francisco

14.09 MILES

Reached by a drawbridge and bordered by a park with floral designs, hedges and grand old oaks, the 17th-century Forte de São Francisco is the centrepiece…

4. Museu da Região Flaviense

14.34 MILES

Small but interesting, this regional archaeological-ethnographic museum has lots of Roman artefacts, plus a collection of pre-Roman jewellery, bronze…

5. Igreja Matriz

14.34 MILES

Built on the site of an earlier Visigothic church, Chaves' Igreja Matriz sports a medieval bell tower and a Renaissance-style main portal.

6. Museu Militar

14.35 MILES

The Torre de Menagem now houses a motley collection of military gear in the Museu Militar. There are lovely views from the rooftop terrace, reached by a …

7. Torre de Menagem

14.35 MILES

The lovely Torre de Menagem (castle keep) stands alone on a grassy embankment behind Chaves' main square, the only major remnant of a 14th-century castle…

8. Ponte Romana

14.43 MILES

Chaves’ handsome, 140m-long Roman-era bridge makes a lovely place for a car-free stroll. The span was completed in AD 104 by order of Emperor Trajan …