Portas do Meio (middle gate) - Valença

The Portas do Meio is the gate through which you enter the village.

The new fortress, created in the 18th century through renovations and extensions, was divided into two areas, which are still quite distinct today, connected by the Porta do Meio.

To the north lies the area called “ Magistral ” or “ Villa ”, largely rectangular, which covers the old medieval core, where most of the population and the main social and administrative facilities were concentrated. It consists of seven bastions and three ravelins.

In the south lies the area of “ Coroada ”, a smaller area, but almost undeveloped. It consists of three bastions and two ravelins.

Despite all this - in principle - impregnable fortress built in the 18th century, Valença was attacked during the Peninsular War and fell into the hands of the Napoleonic troops in 1809.

Willem Vandenameele