Category: Military Architecture > Castle
District: Lisboa > Loures > Pirescoxe > Bairro da Covina
Situated in the village of Pirescoxe, in the parish of Santa Iria de Azóia, in the municipality of Loures, District of Lisbon.
The castle is, in fact, an old mansion of the Portuguese nobility, built in the 15th century. It is located on a high point, with an impressive view over the Tagus River.
Construction began in 1442, when Nuno Vasques de Castelo Branco and his wife, Joana Juzarte, decided to transform a family farm into a stately manor. The castle underwent renovations in the following century, but after the death of the last owner, it fell into ruin.
In 1961, the Castle of Pirescoxe was classified as a Property of Public Interest.
Since 2001, the Loures City Council has been working on the restoration of the castle, transforming it into a cultural space. The project, developed by architect Francisco da Silva Dias, now includes several facilities accessible to the public, such as an open-air auditorium, a cafeteria, and an art gallery.
The castle has a square plan, surrounded by a low wall with battlements. It contains three square towers, each with two floors. The interior features a central courtyard and a large chimney in the Noble Hall, as well as old outbuildings.
It is said that in the castle's cellars, the treasure of D. Sebastião is hidden, which attracts curious people to the site. This legend is reinforced by stories of former owners who accompanied the king in the battle of Alcácer Quibir.
The space is open to the public, providing a rich cultural experience and the opportunity to explore local history.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_de_Pirescoxe
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.83707707354723,-9.091640564399246
Coordinates DMS: 38°50'13.5"N 09°05'29.9"W
Weather Pirescoxe
On-duty Pharmacy Pirescoxe
