Lagos Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Faro > Lagos > Lagos > Centro Histórico

Location

Lagos Castle, an integral part of the city's imposing complex of walls, is located in the heart of the Historic Centre, in the town of Lagos. It stands majestically along the right bank of the Bensafrim Stream, defining a large part of the old town's perimeter.

Its strategic position not only dominated the city's entrance and the old river quay, but also offered control over the surrounding lands. In its immediate vicinity, a green area extends, embracing part of these ancient defences, inviting a different perspective of the monument and the urban surroundings.

A History of Centuries

What is known today as Lagos Castle is, in fact, a vast set of defensive structures that bear witness to centuries of history. Although the designation refers to the entire fortified perimeter, it particularly includes the fortress known as the Governors' Castle, once the residence of important figures of the Algarve.

Its origins date back to the Islamic era, with the probable construction of an alcazaba. After the Christian Reconquista, in the 13th century, the construction of the first medieval walls began. With Lagos' growing importance during the Portuguese Discoveries, in the 16th century, the defensive system was expanded, gaining a second line of more robust walls and bastions. Despite having been severely damaged by the 1755 earthquake, which profoundly altered its configuration, the complex was subject to various interventions over time, preserving its historical and architectural essence.

The Imposing Structure and Its Layout

Lagos' defensive complex is composed of several sections of walls and bastions, divided between the older Medieval Wall and the Renaissance Wall, resulting from later expansion. Although some sections have been lost over time due to urban growth, many parts still survive, offering a glimpse of its original grandeur.

One of the most emblematic points is the Gate of São Gonçalo, flanked by albarrana towers and adorned with an oratory, which connected the city's interior to the stream. The bastions, elevated platforms with specific openings for artillery, were designed to control the territory and provided strategic views over the bay and the distant landscape, including the Monchique Mountains. The Governors' Castle, a central piece of this intricate system, reflects its evolution from a fortress to an administrative residence, combining military elements with adaptations for the daily life of the governors.

A Legacy in the Urban Landscape

The walls and the castle are not just a collection of old stones; they are a structuring element that has shaped and continues to strongly characterise Lagos' image. Over the centuries, they defined the city's growth and the organisation of its historic centre, being a visible testament to its identity and trajectory.

Walking along the walls or through its surviving bastions offers a unique perspective on the city's evolution, inviting reflection on its strategic importance in the past. It is a place that offers not only a journey through history, but also an opportunity to appreciate Lagos' urban landscape from distinct angles and contemplate its legacy.

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