the 16th century, the wine industry brought a new prosperity to the region, resulting in the expansion of estates in Lamego. The niche, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Graça, was likely constructed in 1642, by order of António de Castro. A contract to execute the grates of the prison, annexed to the tower, was executed by the locksmith António Luís for 250$000 Portuguese reis on 25 August 1696. In 1730, from descriptions, the Porta da Vila (Villa Gate) included an arch and two towers, where a bell served as clock. At that time, the former-Casa da Câmara (municipal residence) was located onsite within an old bastion and awning with stone, sculpted columns and tower, as well as a second bastion, designated Castelinho. A similar reference appeared in 1758 to the oratory of Nossa Senhora da Graça, within the internal section of the arch of the Porta do Sol (Sun Gate). A bell was executed for the belfry in 1789, by Mateus Gomes for the municipal council. A new bell was later executed in 1875 with Naciso António from Braga. On 6 March 1789, the plasterers Bernardo Cardoso and Francisco de Moura was contracted to work on the castle tower. In 1824, there was an authorization to build houses on the fortifications, but, ten years later, a businessman requested permission to demolish one of the towers, that was located in his residence. A new bell was executed in 1914, by Adriano Loureiro, by order of the municipality. In 1920, the clock located in the Villa Gate was auctioned in the keep tower, and substituted. Between 1940 and 1941 the remaining bells were removed from the castle and installed in the Church of Santa Maria de Almacave. A risk assessment for the property was elaborated in October 2005 by the DGEMN. Architecture The castle was installed on a hilltop above sea level, on rocky, granite and schist outcroppings. It includes two lines of walls (interior or exterior) that fall within the urban context of the castle, with views of the Coura, Balsemão and Varosa Rivers. An irregular plan, the castle includes a rectangular keep tower oriented to the west, with doorway access to the upper floors above ground. The structure is marked by various small crevices on various elevations, along with a door at the ground floor. Crenellated, the three floors are constructed of wood, and interconnected by wood staircases. Compounding the