Protecting the centre of the Alentejo town of Alter do Chão, the Castle is a fine example of fourteenth-century medieval architecture, erected during the reign of Dom Pedro I, in 1359. At that time, it constituted a defensive articulation with Estremoz, Fronteira, Évora Monte, Avis, Alter Pedroso, Marvão, and Portalegre.
The Monsanto Castle is located at the highest point of the “most Portuguese village in Portugal”, an attribution given by the contest promoted by the Estado Novo in 1938. Located in a place where a proto-historical hillfort and a Muslim fortress from the 10th century had been implanted, it was
The Idanha-a-Nova Castle, located in the town of the same name in a strategic position on the river Pônsul valley, allowing a wide view over the surrounding territory, was built in 1187 by the Order of the Temple, under the direction of Master D. Gualdim Pais. Built as a result
Tomar Castle is the most important structure that the Templars built in Portugal, and is considered one of the masterpieces of European military architecture of the 12th century. Imposing and technically very sophisticated, it is polygonal in plan and small, consisting of three towers, two of which rise above the
Located on a steep islet in the middle course of the Tagus River, Almourol Castle is one of the most emblematic medieval monuments in our country and is also one of the most representative testimonies of the Portuguese Templars. Speculating on its origin prior to the arrival of the Romans
Pombal Castle was built between 1156 and 1171 by D. Gualdim Pais, Master of the Order of the Temple in Portugal. It was the most advanced post on the Mondego defensive line, whose territory had been donated to the Templars by Countess Dona Teresa in 1128. Being part of the
“A Knight Templar is truly a knight who is fearless and safe on all sides, for his soul is protected by the armour of faith, just as his body is protected by the armour of steel. He is, therefore, doubly armed and without the need of fears of demons nor
The County of Portucale (Condado Portucalense) was one of the first places where the Knights Templar were established. From 1122 onwards, a few years after the Order of the Temple had been founded in Jerusalem, some friars acquired property in the city and surroundings of Braga. However, the official move
The Santa Iria Convent was an ancient monastery of Poor Clares built in the early 16th century on the very spot where, according to tradition, Saint Irene (Santa Iria) was beheaded and thrown into the waters of the Nabão River. An expression of Manueline, Renaissance, and Mannerist art, the convent
Zêzere Castle is the only one of the castles built by the Portuguese Templars at the time when D. Gualdim Pais was Master of the Order that has completely disappeared. It was built in the second half of the 12th century, possibly on top of an older one, due to
