Castles and Fortresses

Defending Portugal for centuries

The number and the diversified origin of the defensive military structures (medieval castles and modern fortresses) in the Alto Alentejo are remarkable. Some of these components stand out for their importance concerning the history of Portugal; other components stand out for their exceptional state of preservation and virtually no intervention during the Modern Age. Finally other elements witness the evolution of defensive architecture from the period of Arab domination to Romanesque and/or Gothic features, only when pyrobalistic weapons replaced neurobalistic weapons to attack and for passive defense, some of them experienced reformations that turned them into strongholds.

These structures were constructed to be consistently at the border line. By trespassing this line, the invading armies have caused many (definitive) damages on theirs walls and towers. The structures that resisted wars and time stand with dignity, like the ones who have fulfilled their role.

Glossary

Blockhouse
Small fort: This is a military structure with simple elevation, which is located in a strategic place; it is generally polygonal and includes a moat and gunboats.