Serpa Castle and Walls

Category: Military Architecture > Wall

District: Beja > Serpa > Serpa > Bairro Municipal

Location and historical context

, Located in the city of Serpa, in Baixo Alentejo, Portugal.

, It is part of the set of fortifications on the left bank of the Guadiana river.

, Classified as a National Monument in 1954.

History of the castle

, Prehistoric origin, later Romanized.

, Roman fortification existed to protect the region.

, It passed through the hands of the Alans, Vandals, Suevi, Visigoths, and Muslims.

, Reconquered by the Christians in the mid-12th century.

, Disputes with Castile and cession to D. Beatriz in the 13th century.

, Reconstruction and fortification during the reign of D. Dinis in the 14th century.

, Participation in the 1383-1385 crisis and support for D. João I.

, Royal concessions and strengthening under D. Manuel I.

More recent period

, Fall to Spanish troops in 1580.

, Donated by D. João IV to Infante D. Pedro after the Restoration of Independence.

, Modernization works during the Restoration War.

, Damage caused during the War of the Spanish Succession.

, Process of deterioration and collapse over the centuries.

Architectural characteristics

, Located in the historical center of Serpa.

, Alcáçova with a quadrangular plan on the highest level.

, Town walls with an oval shape, reinforced by barbicans and towers.

Monumental gates

Moura Gate, Beja Gate and Seville Gate (disappeared).

, Aqueduct and noria for water supply.

, Keep, semicircular barbican and rectangular tower.

, Clock Tower, with bell function, transformed into a clock in the 15th century.

, Palace of the Counts of Ficalho, Mannerist style.

Archaeological Museum of Serpa

, Located in the Keep.

, Exhibition of artifacts from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Metal Ages and Roman period.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_de_Serpa

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