Montemor-o-Novo Castle, including walls and the properties within it.

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Évora > Montemor-o-Novo > Montemor-o-Novo > Bairro de São Pedro

Location

- Situated in the parish of Nossa Senhora da Vila, Nossa Senhora do Bispo e Silveiras, in Montemor-o-Novo, Alentejo, Portugal.

- Dominating the highest hill in the region, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

History and Significance

- Ancient origin as a possible pre-historic castro Romanized.

Historical Importance

- Location where Vasco da Gama finalized plans for his voyage to India.

- National Monument since 1951, preserving a rich cultural and historical heritage.

Architecture and Structure

- Walls with an irregular triangular plan and several access doors.

- Highlights include the Porta da Vila (Porta de Santarém or Porta Nova), the Guard House with the coat of arms of D. Manuel I, and other defensive structures.

Points of Interest Inside

- Praça de Armas with an old cistern and ruins of the Paço do Alcaide.

- Churches such as São João Baptista, Santiago and ruins of Santa Maria do Bispo.

- Convent of Nossa Senhora da Saudação, notable for its historical and architectural importance.

Historical Events

- Conquered by D. Sancho I in the Christian Reconquista, with the granting of a Foral Charter in 1203.

- Importance during the Avis Dynasty and 15th and 16th centuries, with significant remodels.

- Defensive role during the Restoration War and Peninsular War, and operational center in the Portuguese Civil War.

Conservation and Restoration

- Several interventions throughout the 20th century, especially between 1937-1945 and 1960-1980.

- Archaeological research started in the 1980s, resumed in 1992-1993.

- Recent recovery of the Torre da Má Hora, highlighting the continuous preservation efforts.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_de_Montemor-o-Novo

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