Keep of Estremoz

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Évora > Estremoz > Estremoz > Santo André

Location

The Keep Tower stands in the city of Estremoz, marking its presence in the Santo André area. It is located in the highest part of the town, integrating a fortified complex that dominates the landscape. Its position offers wide views over the rooftops of Estremoz and the vast Alentejo plain that surrounds it, allowing a privileged perspective of the surrounding area.

The Architecture of Defense

Standing approximately 27 meters tall, the Keep Tower of Estremoz features a robust quadrangular plan, characteristic of Portuguese military architecture from the transition between the 13th and 14th centuries. It stands out for its crowning, where pyramidal merlons are observed, typical elements of the era that give the tower a distinctive profile. Furthermore, it is possible to note the machicolations, structures supported by corbels that once served to defend the monument, highlighting its original function as a strategic point of protection.

Echoes of History

This imposing tower is a significant symbol in the history of Estremoz and the Alentejo, echoing memories and tales of other times. Although its origin is part of the broader context of the castle's construction, dating back to the period of the Christian Reconquest, the tower itself is a testament to the evolution of defensive constructions. Also known by names such as "tower of the three kings" or "tower of the three crowns," it evokes the presence and legacy of royal figures who passed through there, making it a landmark where local stories intertwine with national history.

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