Castelo Mendo is a medieval town with two distinct walled centres and the site of Portugal’s oldest fair. Despite earthquake damage in 1755, its heritage endures. Today, free public Wi-Fi and improved accessibility enhance its role within the Historic Villages of Portugal network.
Community characteristics
It is an old town with a distinctly medieval character, made up of two distinct centres: the old town, with its original foundations, made up of a castle, a church ruin and remains of medieval urban planning, all surrounded by a 12th-century wall; and the new town, or Arrabalde de S. Pedro, protected by a wall built during the reign of King Dinis, with distinct Gothic features and severely damaged by the earthquake of 1755. It has the distinction of hosting Portugal's oldest fair, which is still celebrated as a major event. The Historic Village of Castelo Mendo has a wireless network for free use in public spaces and has developed actions in the field of physical and digital accessibility, two networking projects promoted by the AHP-ADT with the 10 municipalities that make part of the Historic Villages of Portugal Network.
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