Pinhel

Pinhel lies in Portugal's Beira Alta, near the Spanish frontier. Its castle formed part of a chain of fortified settlements that defended the Portuguese border. The castle dates to the reign of King Denis, while its keep is associated with the later reign of Manuel I. Houses in the historic centre include buildings from the sixteenth century, and the town once had a Jewish community. Estates built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries reflect growth in the surrounding district. In 1770 Pinhel received city status and became the seat of a new diocese. The Church of the Saviour served as its cathedral until the convent church of São Luís took that role in 1797.