Imagine Vikings sailing up the coast. They raided the Castelo de Vermoim in 1016. This attack forever changed this place. We are standing before the remains of Castelo de Vermoim. It is more than just old stones. It is a testament to battles long past.
Castelo de Vermoim has a long history. It began as an Iron Age settlement. The settlement evolved into a castro. Then, in the 11th century or earlier, it became a castle. Count Vermuiz Forjaz is credited with building it. The castle and the parish got their names from him.
The castle served an important strategic purpose. It was a key point for the region. Documents from the time refer to it. One document from 1065 mentions a basilica near the castro. Another document from 1114 places Requião near the Castelo de Vermoim.
In 1016, the Normans attacked. They were led by Gunderedo or Gunrod. The attack was devastating. Alvito Nunes, the Count of Portugal, defended the castle. He died in the fighting. A daughter of his was taken hostage. The castle never fully recovered.
A record of the attack survives. Padre Benjamim Salgado translated it. The document says the Normans came to attack the Castelo de Vermoim in the province of Braga. This event is recorded in the Chronica Gothorum. It is one of Portugal’s oldest historical records.
After the attack, Vermoim was deserted for 150 years. Despite the damage, the Castelo de Vermoim stood. In 1188, King Sancho I mentioned it in his will. He seemed to distrust the castle’s tenant.
Vermoim was a key administrative and military center. It showed the monarchy’s power in northern Portugal. The “Lands of Vermoim” included 64 parishes. These lands stretched to the Ave River. Vermoim also had religious importance. The “Arcediago de Vermoim” managed church affairs.
The current Avenida João XXI is named after Pedro Hispano. He was a famous Arcediago. Later, he became Pope.
In 1205, Vila Nova de Famalicão gained importance. King Sancho I believed it had a better location. This diminished Vermoim’s importance.
Excavations in the 1980s found pottery. They also found building foundations from the Iron Age. These finds show the site’s long history.
The Castelo de Vermoim was abandoned in the 14th century. It lost its strategic value. It was also weakened by the attack in 1016.
Look around. Imagine the count defending his land. Hear the clash of steel. See the Viking ships. The Castelo de Vermoim may be in ruins. But its story echoes through time. It reminds us of courage and loss.