Assumar Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Portalegre > Monforte > Assumar

Location:

Assumar Castle is located in the village of the same name, in the municipality of Monforte. It is integrated into the urban fabric of the locality itself, situated on a slightly elevated platform about 326 meters above sea level. Its position within the village allows visitors to perceive its historical importance as a territorial control point.

The Origins of the Fortress

Human presence in the Assumar region dates back to very ancient times. The area was disputed and re-conquered multiple times throughout history, gaining strategic relevance. It was during the reign of D. Dinis that Assumar saw its importance grow, receiving privileges and autonomy in relation to Monforte.

The construction of the fortification in Assumar is dated to 1332, by order of King D. Afonso IV. This structure was erected with the aim of defending the people of the village. A testament to that era is a stone inscription that was originally in the castle and can now be seen on the south façade of the parish church.

A Glimpse into the Past

Thanks to old drawings, such as those by Duarte de Armas made around 1509, we know a little more about what the castle would have looked like in the Middle Ages. It was depicted as a walled enclosure with an approximately quadrangular plan, a less common format for the Gothic period and more reminiscent of ancient constructions.

This wall featured several gates, in addition to the main gate, and had only one tower defending it, located next to the gate of arms. The medieval village would have been contained within these walls. However, this defensive structure was considered simple, without the typical reinforcements of larger fortresses, functioning more as an enclosure to control the population and local activity than as a robust military point capable of withstanding long sieges.

Current Remains

Over the centuries, Assumar Castle suffered damage, particularly during military conflicts such as the Portuguese Restoration War and the War of the Spanish Succession. In the 19th century, what remained of the fortification was demolished, leaving only the memory of its existence.

Currently, visitors will find few vestiges of the medieval structure. The main visible remnant is a small section of the original wall. Nevertheless, the site where the castle once stood continues to be a historical and cultural landmark in the village of Assumar, recalling its fortified past.

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