Montfort castle is located in the North-Eastern part of Chaves. The medieval building stands on a hill, on one of the slopes of the beautiful mountains of the Sierra Brunero.

The full name of the castle – the castle of Montfort Rio de Livre. The castle was built to protect a medieval village called Montfort Rio de Livre, hence the name of the castle. There is another explanation for the name of the castle withstood the floods of the river Tamega, so the name of the castle added Rio Livre, which means "independent from the river".

During the wars between Portuguese troops and the troops of the Spanish Leon, the fortress was destroyed, but later, in 1250, by order of the Portuguese king Afonso III, the castle was restored. Construction work on the strengthening of the castle were continued as heir, Afonso III, his son by king Dinis. Were built the four towers and fortified walls were expanded. During the Portuguese war of independence in the seventeenth century, king joão IV ordered to upgrade the castle to the fortress could withstand artillery bombardment.

In 1853 the village of Montfort Rio de Livre left residents, and the castle was left in ruins. To date, there is only one watchtower of the four, however, fans of medieval architecture will be interesting to take a walk around the ramparts, offering stunning views of the valley of the Tamega river.

Since 1950, the castle is included in the list of monuments of national importance. In 1990-ies have been carried out and a small archaeological study.