The Iberian northern border defence sites, between Portugal (Minho) and Spain (Galicia), can be divided into two types of constructions. In one hand there are stone fortifications and in the other hand earthen fortifications. The military architectures which are the subject of this study provide an important strategic and military presence, given its location. However, this borderline has always been able to bring together or apart the Portuguese and the Galician populations. These military architectures are a compilation of constructive solutions and strategies from past periods which are associated with the decisive moments in the history of Portugal and Spain, i.e. the Iberian northern border, and which are deeply linked to the inhabitants of the Minho river waterfront. The construction of the Portuguese territory as a nation (XIIth century), involved the construction of a political opposition which generated a progressive constitution of a frontier line which changed along the history of both Iberian countries. With the Restoration Wars of the XVIIth century the Iberian northern border defence sites were divided into two types of fortifications. As a result of these wars there was the opposition of defence sites in both nations generating a dichotomy in both waterfronts. After these troubled times, the earthen defence sites were abandoned and the permanent stone fortifications were consolidated in both sides of the Minho river waterfront. Nowadays the permanent fortifications and the earthen fortifications, which are preserved, provide an understanding of the whole historic defence system. It’s of vital importance, for the history and the memory of a culture and a heritage, to document, protect and promote these historical landmarks.

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Heritage,Iberian,Border,Defence,Fortifications

• Ciências Físicas - Ciências Naturais