Marialva By its splendid situation on a rocky crag hill difficult, the small village of Marialva was important garrison in the Average Age.
Population by very old roots, already was inhabited in the century I SAW a. C. by the tribe of the Aravos. Romans, Suevos and Árabes occupied it successively. When there we arrive we will understand so that. High and inaccessible, he only could be conquered to the iron and fire. Fernando Magno, king of Leon, conquered it in 1063 for the cristiandad, and he would have given the name him of Malva, later Marialva. Although also one tells that the king, D. Afonso II of Portugal donated it in 1217 to one loved hers, D. Maria Alva, reason why this one would be the true origin of its name.
Roads of medievo, with gothic walls and doors, lead to a small seat of very medieval flavor. Here is picota of century XV, in granite, the old jail and the court. The first church, with manuelino porch, dedicated to Santiago, dates from century XVI. Old route of travelling, Marialva still celebrates in the day of the Apostle (25 of July), the annual fair of Santiago.Continuando the ascent is arrived at the powerful castle, one of the greater ones of the region. When arriving there above, as the rest of a soldier, a magnificent panorama of 360º cuts the breathing.