Adiça's Watchtower

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Beja > Moura > Álamo > Atalaia da Adiça

Location

The Atalaia da Adiça is located in the area of the same name, integrated into the locality of Álamo, in the municipality of Moura. Its structure rises at the top of Adiça hill, which is part of the eponymous mountain range. This elevated position, situated a few kilometers southeast of the city of Moura, provides a vast panorama over the surrounding landscape. The choice of this location was clearly intended to take advantage of its exceptional visibility over the Alentejo plain.

Ancient Remains

At this elevated point, we can observe the vestiges of an ancestral military construction. It is believed that Adiça hill may have been a site of human habitation since ancient times, possibly a fortified settlement, a Lusitanian 'castro' (hillfort), whose origin may date back to the transition from the Neolithic to the Chalcolithic periods. Its earliest history remains shrouded in mystery, but the presence of these vestiges suggests continuous and strategic occupation over the millennia.

Strategic Lookout Point

Since the most remote eras, the Atalaia da Adiça played a crucial role as an observation point. After the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, and particularly during the reign of D. Dinis, this site was integrated into a network of advanced lookout posts. Its main function was to monitor movements in the vast surrounding area and alert the fortress of Moura to the approach of potential threats, safeguarding the region's defense. Its unique location allowed for effective visual communication with the main fortress, making it a vital element in the security of the era.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt