Alcantarilha Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Faro > Silves > Alcantarilha > Quinta dos Reis

Location and Description

, Alcantarilha Castle is located in the town of Alcantarilha, municipality of Silves, in the Algarve region, Portugal.

, The castle consisted of a bulwarked enclosure with six bastions and a main gate with an arch.

, Currently, only a few sections of the walls remain, partially hidden by modern buildings.

, The remains of the castle are located in the historical center of Alcantarilha, near Rua da Misericórdia, Travessa do Castelo, and Largo General Humberto Delgado.

History

, The castle was built during the Muslim period and underwent several expansion works throughout its history.

, It had the function of defending the interior of the Algarve and preventing invasions from the coast.

, In the 13th century, it was conquered by the Christian forces of D. Paio Peres Correia during the Reconquista.

, In the 16th century, works were carried out for the construction of the walls, ordered by King D. Sebastião.

, In the 18th century, it declined and was almost completely demolished, leaving only a few sections of the walls.

Conservation and Classification

, The remains of Alcantarilha Castle are considered a Property of Public Interest since 1977.

, The castle is in an advanced state of degradation due to destruction and abandonment over the centuries.

, Some openings for loopholes and battlements remain in the castle walls, indicating the existence of an old wall walk.

19th and 20th Centuries

, In 1934, the Alcantarilha Municipal Market building was inaugurated, partially attached to the wall.

, Throughout the 20th century, urban expansion and modification of the area within the walls resulted in the destruction of a large part of the castle structure.