Castro Marim Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Faro > Castro Marim > Castro Marim > Quinta da Cerca

Location

Castro Marim Castle is located in the town, parish, and municipality of Castro Marim, in the Faro District, in Portugal.

Historical Significance

The castle was a medieval fortification strategically located to defend the passage at the mouth of the Guadiana River and the border with Spain. It is considered one of the most important monuments of the Portuguese Middle Ages in the region.

Panoramic View

From the castle, visitors can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Guadiana River, the Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Marsh Natural Reserve, the Algarve hills, Spain, the salt pans, and the region's beaches.

National Monument

Castro Marim Castle was classified as a National Monument in 1910.

Ancient History

The site where the castle stands dates back to prehistoric times, with traces of human occupation dating back to five thousand years BC, during the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, the site was occupied by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans.

Medieval Period

During the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula, the castle was reconquered by the Portuguese in 1242. Under the reign of King Dinis, reconstructions and expansions were carried out on the castle's defenses. The Order of Christ established its headquarters in Castro Marim in the 14th century.

Architecture

The castle has an irregular quadrangular plan with four cylindrical towers at the corners and two entrance gates. Inside the castle, there are two-story buildings built against the walls, in addition to the ruins of the old keep (alcáçova). Externally, the remains of the keep tower (torre de menagem) and of a bastion are still visible.

Restorations and Interventions

The castle suffered significant damage during the 1755 earthquake, but it has undergone various restorations and interventions over the centuries to preserve and consolidate its structures. Currently, it also houses an archaeological museum.

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

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