Audioguide

Keep museum

It houses an exhibition on the history of the keep and its historical context, since in medieval times Monforte was a unique example of a feudal city-fortress surrounding a monastery, with a castle on a strategic hill (Monte de San Vicente) and surrounded by a wall interspersed with defensive towers.

Long stretches of the wall, which dates from the 13th to 15th centuries, and three towers and gates into the city are still preserved. The well preserved and restored keep stands out from the castle, and from its top you can see the valley of Lemos crossed by the Cabe river.

The keep, which was built between the 13th and 15th century, was the most important building in the castle as here the homage ceremonies were held, a ritual that linked the lord to his vassals. It is a watchtower 30 metres tall, 13 metres wide and has walls 3 metres thick. The tower and the wall of the medieval fortress suffered considerable damage during the first great Irmandiña war, from 1467 to 1469, and were rebuilt after the conflict ended.