The castle ruins, whose structure is easy to reconstitute, includes a few peculiarities, such as small Traitors' Gate alongside the keep tower, and remnants of barbicans along the walls, in addition to examples of primitive cisterns in relative good state (although obstructed).

The first remnants recorded on this site date to the Chalcolithic period approximately 3000 BCE, and were the basis for the early Roman settlement that developed.

[1][2] During the High Middle Ages, the location already possessed a long cultural heritage, a factor that allowed it to become a fulcrum along the Douro River.

[1][2] The village progressively imposed its importance in the territory it belonged, which included diverse resources, a proliferation of small agglomerations and agricultural parcels.

In 1443, the regent Peter funnelled the taxes from Freixiel, Abreiro and Vilarinho da Castanheira to support the repair of the walls of the castle.

[1] By 1527, the village consisted of 35 inhabited buildings, yet the lack of potable water, relative distance to fertile terrains and principal roadways, resulted in the castle's progressive abandon.

[1] The DGEMN Direcção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais (General-Directorate for Buildings and National Monuments) was active in the recuperation of the walls in 1944-1945 and 1976, with consolidation of the western towers occurring in 1977.

The ruins are located in a rural, isolated position, between the mountainous Serra da Vila, encircled by zones of vegetation, and 200 metres (660 ft) from an area of cultivatable lands.

In reality, there continue to be two perceptible and distinct spaces constituting the principal elements of the medieval form of Carrazeda de Ansiães.

[2] A second line of walls, 600 metres (2,000 ft) in length and three rectangular towers, encircling a perimeter that is proliferated by large damage, including medieval and modern structures.