Category: Military Architecture > Castle
District: Leiria > Óbidos > Óbidos > Santa Maria, São Pedro e Sobral da Lagoa
Óbidos Castle is located in the parish of Santa Maria, São Pedro and Sobral da Lagoa, in the town of Óbidos, in Central Portugal.
Classified as a National Monument since 1910.
, Ancient Occupation: Dates back to prehistoric times, with occupations by Lusitanians, Romans, Visigoths, and Muslims. Elements of the wall reveal Moorish influences.
, Christian Reconquest: Conquered by the forces of D. Afonso Henriques in 1148. Rebuilt during the reign of D. Sancho I and mentioned in documents since 1153.
, Royal Donation: D. Afonso II donated the castle to D. Urraca in 1210. Resisted attacks during the crisis of D. Sancho II.
, Royal Nuptial: D. Dinis offered the castle to Queen Santa Isabel as a wedding gift.
, Period of Crisis: During the crisis of 1383-1385, it was handed over to D. João I after the Battle of Aljubarrota.
, Royal Residence: D. Leonor, wife of D. João II, chose Óbidos to reside after the death of her son.
, Renovations: D. Manuel I made significant improvements to the town and castle, including the reconstruction of the Paços do Alcaide.
, 1755 Earthquake: Caused severe damage that was not repaired due to lack of resources.
, Peninsular War: Was the scene of the first artillery shots in the Battle of Roliça in 1808.
, Interventions: Since 1932, there have been several consolidation, reconstruction, and restoration interventions. Between 1948 and 1950, the space was requalified as the Pousada do Castelo (Castle Inn).
, Structure: Castle of irregular rectangular plan with Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Baroque elements. Walls with square and cylindrical towers, totaling 1,565 meters in perimeter.
, Access Gates: Four gates and two posterns, highlighting the Porta da Vila (Town Gate) with a chapel covered in 18th-century tiles.
, Pillory: Made of granite, with royal symbols and the camaroeiro (shrimp trap) of D. Leonor, used to expose and punish criminals.
, Aqueduct: 3 km long, built by Queen D. Catarina of Austria to supply the town.
, Cruzeiro da Memória (Memorial Cross): Marks the place where D. Afonso Henriques set up camp before conquering the town from the Moors.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_de_Óbidos
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.36329271104716,-9.157138940311746
Coordinates DMS: 39°21'47.9"N 09°09'25.7"W
Weather Óbidos
On-duty Pharmacy Óbidos
