Barbacena Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Barbacena > Largo do Castelo

Location

- The Castle of Barbacena is located in Barbacena, in the municipality of Elvas, District of Portalegre, Alentejo.

- It is located near the border with Spain, in a historical area.

History

- The village of Barbacena was conquered from the Moors by King D. Sancho II in the 13th century.

- The construction of the castle began during the reign of D. Afonso III.

- D. Manuel I made improvements to the castle and elevated the village to a municipality in the 16th century.

- During the Restoration War, the castle was modernized and managed to resist Spanish attacks.

Classification

- The castle has been considered a Property of Public Interest since 1967, which highlights its historical importance.

Redevelopment Projects

- In 2014, the castle was integrated into a Military Tourism project, promoting historical itineraries about Portuguese heroes.

- The Fado singer Mico da Câmara Pereira bought the ruins in 2005, with plans to transform them into a space for events and leisure.

- In 2015, due to financial difficulties, the castle was put up for sale.

Cultural Importance

- The castle represents Portugal's cultural heritage and the struggle for independence throughout the centuries.

- It is an interesting stop for tourists visiting the Alentejo and Elvas region.

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

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