background

The Castle is of primitive construction, proven by the existence of two Roman cisterns, and its first walls were built by the Arabs. When the Christian reconquest and the consequent takeover of the castle in 1148, the walls were destroyed, having been immediately rebuilt to prevent the Arabs from entering during the siege of 1184. Also the Church of Santa Maria, located within the wall, is from the beginning of the Nationality.

The Castle undergoes successive interventions in medieval and modern times, especially in the reigns of D. Dinis, D. Fernando and D. Manuel. What remains of the last intervention is the coat of arms of D. Manuel I, flanked by the Manueline armillary spheres, with the Cross of Christ. With the 1755 earthquake, both the walls and the Paço dos Alcaides, were largely destroyed.

The Castle would again play an important role in 1809, when it was integrated in the Lines of Torres Vedras, as stronghold nº 27. At that time it was again repaired and furnished with 11 pieces of artillery. In this adaptation the castle gate was demolished. The last siege of the Castle took place in late 1846, having served as barracks for the Count of Bonfim's troops. The fortress was bombed by the Duke of Saldanha, with the explosion of the magazine, which almost completely ruined the Palace. Despite its state of ruin, the castle continued to function as a barracks of regular troops until the end of the 19th century, having undergone several repairs. In 1929, the Ministry of War assigned the property to the City Council, which was in charge of conservation and cleaning.

It is a monument classified by Decree No. 41 191, DG, I Series, No. 162, of 18-07-1957.

address

Largo Coronel Morais Sarmento, Torres Vedras

schedule

Setembro a junho
Terça-feira a domingo: 10h00 às 18h00 (última entrada às 17h30)

Julho e agosto
Terça-feira a domingo: 10h00 às 19h00 (última entrada às 18h30)

Encerramento nos feriados: 1 de janeiro, domingo e terça-feira de carnaval, domingo de páscoa, 1 de maio, 24 e 25 de dezembro