Fortress of Segura

Category: Military Architecture > Fortress

District: Castelo Branco > Idanha-a-Nova > Segura > Zebreira e Segura

Location

- The Fortress of Segura is located in Segura, in the parish of Zebreira and Segura, in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, in the District of Castelo Branco, Portugal, on the banks of the Erges River.

Obscure Origins

The early history of the Segura fortification is poorly known, mentioned only in the early years of the Portuguese monarchy, but definitive possession by the Crown of Portugal occurred in 1282.

Foundation under D. Dinis

In the reign of D. Dinis, in 1299, the residents of Segura were exempt from taxes in exchange for the construction of a castle, later donated to the Order of Christ.

Expansion under D. Fernando

In the reign of D. Fernando, the castle was donated to Frei Nuno Martins (1376), and the construction of a barbican with a moat began.

Elevation to Town and Municipal Seat

Segura was elevated to town and municipal seat in 1510, maintaining this position until 1836, when it was annexed to Salvaterra do Extremo.

Restoration War

During the Restoration War, the fortification of Segura gained strategic importance and was reformulated with the construction of bulwarked walls.

French Invasion

In 1807, the defenses failed to deter the French invasion in the Peninsular War, and subsequently, in 1846, the military government was extinguished, leading to the dismantling of the defenses.

Oval Plan

The old castle had an oval plan and was protected by two fences, a moat, and a barbican, with at least six towers.

Keep

A solid keep was attached to the internal walls and had two floors, undergoing changes over the centuries.

Village Below

The village had no wall and developed below the castle, organized around Rua Direita (Straight Street), with the Porta de Baixo (Lower Gate) and Porta de Cima (Upper Gate).

Bulwarked Walls

The 17th-century bulwarked walls have three bulwarks with watchtowers at the vertices, associated with the old barbican.

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

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