It was here that Vasco da Gama’s sea crossing to India was finalised during the Royal Courts of 1496. This is how the Castle of Montemor-o-Novo was remembered in the History of Portugal. Built on what is thought to be the ruins of an ancient Muslim fortification, the castle resisted the 1755 earthquake and the French invasions, but fell into ruin throughout the 20th century. More recently, archaeological research began and it has been under restoration. It has been classified as a National Monument since 1951.