The castle, located in the town of Santo Estêvão, in the north of the district of Vila Real, has been classified as a national monument since 1939.

“It has been deteriorating very consistently in recent years and our fear is that it could collapse”, said the Mayor of Chaves, Nuno Vaz, who was speaking at a press conference held next to the monument.

The mayor stressed that this is a state heritage site and explained that since 2022 the municipality has been alerting different state agencies to the urgent need for intervention in this castle, acknowledging, however, that there are doubts about who is responsible for managing this heritage site.

“The truth is that nothing has happened to date,” he stressed.

As a result of the leaks, both the roof and the wooden floor are, he explained, in an advanced state of degradation.

“Our biggest fear is that the foundations themselves may be at risk and this fortification, as a whole, may collapse,” stressed Nuno Vaz, who emphasised that the press conference is “almost an act of desperation to draw attention.”

According to the mayor, the municipality is available to be a partner in a solution, even in financial terms, so that the monument can reopen its doors and become a tourist attraction.

The president of the Santo Estêvão Parish Council, Maria José Barros, lamented the “drastic” state of degradation of the castle as a result of leaks and harsh winters.

“It started out as a small and insignificant problems, but since it was not repaired, the degradation is now significant and is causing us great concern because it cannot be visited and could even collapse at any moment”, highlighted the parish mayor.

Lusa agency tried to contact the Cultural Heritage Institute to ask for a reaction about the castle, which was not possible so far.