Miradouro de S. Gens
The project for the restoration and rehabilitation of the castle’s historical zone involved the area surrounding the Santa Maria church as well as the slopes around the walls and the S. Gens belvedere. This area, covering 13,200 sqm, of notable historical and cultural value, dates back to 12th century, when Castelo Branco was an important enclave for the Knights of the Templar Order.
The site included various highly degraded areas, particularly the woodland next to the church and the S. Gens belvedere, but also little interest as a recreational facility given the negative connotations attributed to the area.
The intervention proposal was the result of an in-depth analysis of the existing situation, which also sought to uncover the value and historical background of the different components. The recognition of the historical and cultural value of each zone, including the quality of the surviving elements in aesthetical and functional terms, proved fundamental for the intervention concept, for the definition of a strategy and finally for the design. The design aims to attract different groups of visitors and appealing enough to reposition the location as a landmark both regionally as well as nationally.
