Torre dos Almadas

The Tower of the Almadas is a gothic medieval tower house in Guimarães, Portugal.

History

Originally, the building formed part of a larger noble medieval residence built sometime prior to 1279, which was later mostly torn down sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries, along with other neighboring buildings, and reduced in size following the expansion and densification of the city centre. Following this demolition, the tower part of the house became exposed to the rest of the city, needing the addition of windows and an entrance gate.
In 1964 the city government of Guimarães leased the building to the Association of Former Students of the Guimarães High School. Since 1968, it serves as the headquarters of this association and is the official location where the annual Nicolinas Festivities committee is officialized. Prior to this, it was referred to as Palace of the Almadas, being then changed to Castle of the Almadas until being officially changed to its current name, Tower of the Almadas, on 29 November 1971.
The interior of the tower was restored and redone following a bomb explosion in 1974. In 2001 the Historic Centre of Guimarães, which the tower is part of, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.