Centre for the Interpretation of Castles and Fortresses - Valença

In 2023, in the space of the old Paiol do Açadogue, in Fortaleza de Valença, the Interpretation Centre of the Bastioned Forts of Raia was inaugurated.

In the Interpretation Centre, visitors will find the history of the 1,319 km long border that forms the Portuguese-Spanish border and the 75 fortifications spread across Portugal and Spain. Panels, maps, touch screens, archaeological remains from excavations carried out in the Valença Fortress and even a uniform of the 4th Artillery Regiment of Valença tell the story of this history and the importance and uniqueness of Valença within this group.

This interpretation centre would be integrated into a route that would also include interpretation centres, which would open in Almeida, Elvas and Marvão. The main objective of the Raia Bastioned Fortresses Route is to create a national cultural tourism product, linked to a World Heritage candidacy that will take place in parallel, creating a route with a UNESCO World Heritage seal.

Willem Vandenameele