With the new settlement structure in the Middle Ages, a new regional road network was organised, with the connection from Chaves to Minho preferably via the southern axes of Alturas do Barroso-Ruivães and Salto-Rossas, to the detriment of the old connection via the Montalegre area, probably because the appropriation of this space by the Portuguese crown was not yet well established, as the late construction of Montalegre castle in the 14th century seems to indicate.
In the initial basin of the River Terva, apart from the disappeared stonework bridge that crossed the river between Sapelos and Sapiãos, on the road that headed south via the Carvalhelhos bridge, only one important local road from medieval times remains, still with long stretches of flagstone paving.
THE CASTLE BEARS WITNESS TO THE FIRST EFFORTS TO ORGANISE THE TERRITORY AT THE TIME OF THE PORTUCALENSE COUNTY.
This is the Arcos-Bobadela route, already mentioned in the Inquirições de Afonso IIIof 1258. Connecting the towns of Cervos and Arcos (in Montalegre) to Bobadela and Sapiãos (in Boticas), this road also served, halfway along its route, the medieval castle of Fragas da Contenda, which bears witness to the first efforts to organise the territory at the time of the Portucalense County.
Location
The dirt roads are not suitable for light vehicles.
More about the Terva Valley Archaeological Park (TVAP) here.
More about the TVAP Ancient Roads Route here.
