In the lower part of Franqueira Mountain, on the ruins of an ancient settlement, in the 11th century, was built a castle and a fort. Legend has it that, during King Fernando’s reign, amid the second war with Castela, the northern frontier of Portugal was invaded. In 1373, Nuno Gonçalves de Faria is imprisoned and brought to his castle, the Castle of Faria. He was killed at the enemies hands before his son, Gonçalo Nunes, whom he said not to surrender and keep the castle for his king. Nuno Gonçalves de Faria was killed, but, heroically, defended the Portuguese King’s honour and the Castle of Faria wasn’t taken by the Castilians. After King Fernando death, the Douro and Minho region was almost all taken by Castela. In the end, the castle kept losing its importance and entered in decline, falling, the noble castle, into ruins.
