Fortification originated in the Middle Ages formed by a walled enclosure and its premises, which provides an advantageous vantage point on the Miño River. Its history is composed of a series of events that give name to some of its most distinctive spaces, such as Palacio de Doña Urraca, named after the stay of Queen Urraca of León in the fortress, from where she led operations against her sister Theresa, countess of Portugal. Pedro Álvarez de Soutomaior, aka Pedro Madruga, Count of Camiña, had a very active presence in the south of the province too, and he found in Salvaterra the best shelter in the border for his disputes with archbishop Fonseca. Lastly, the magnificent location and strong walls of the fortress played a key role during the Portuguese revolution of 1640. The historical site of Salvaterra is located on the south side of the appropriately named square of O Castelo (The Castle). It extends over an area of approximately 9,700 square metres including part of the walled enclosure and the bartizans, the Casa do Conde, the Pazo de doña Urraca and the Virgen de la Oliva Chapel, which is next to the castle walls.