Templars' Tower

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Castelo Branco > Idanha-a-Nova > Idanha-a-Velha

Location

The Templar Tower stands in the ancient locality of Idanha-a-Velha, part of the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova. It is centrally located within the historic village, contributing to its unique atmosphere. Idanha-a-Velha itself is a site of great archaeological richness, where every step reveals layers of history, with the tower standing out as one of its most visible landmarks.

Traces of Civilizations

This imposing vestige of the past is what remains of the defensive structure that the Knights Templar built in the region. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it was built directly on the podium of a grandiose Roman temple, once the heart of the forum of the ancient city of Idanha. This superimposition of eras (from the Roman Empire to the Order of the Templars) offers a visual testimony to the evolution and occupation of this territory over centuries.

Architecture and History

The tower's construction dates back to the mid-13th century, as can be seen from the inscription with the date of 1245 on the tympanum of the original access door. Initially, entry to the tower was through a door located on the second floor, accessible by a movable ladder supported by a projecting block, still visible today. Later, a new door was opened on the first floor, protected by a balcony on the third floor, whose support vestiges still remain.

The Templar Legacy

The Templar Tower is a symbol of the strong presence of this military order in Portugal and, particularly, in Beira Baixa. Built to protect and consolidate the domains granted to them, the tower served as a crucial strategic point. It remains today as a powerful reminder of the power and influence of the Knights Templar in the defense and organization of medieval Portuguese territory.

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