Belver Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Portalegre > Gavião > Belver

Location

- Belver Castle is located in the village of Belver, in the municipality of Gavião, district of Portalegre.

- It is situated on a hill, with a privileged view over the Tagus River and the Belver stream.

Architecture and History

- One of the best examples of medieval military architecture in Portugal.

- It was built at the end of the 12th century by order of King Sancho I, during the Christian Reconquista, to protect the region.

- It served as headquarters for the Hospitaller Order until 1350, being a fortification of great military importance.

Classification and Conservation

- It was classified as a National Monument in 1910.

- It suffered damage over the centuries, including during the 1755 earthquake, but underwent several restoration works, the most recent in the 2000s.

Keep

- The central tower of the castle, with very thick walls (about 4 meters).

- It has several floors, currently used for cultural events.

- It includes a cistern inside, which can be visited.

Chapel of São Brás

- The chapel inside the castle, built in the 16th century.

- It stands out for the altar and the reliquary busts offered by the Grand Prior of Crato.

Landscape and Views

- The castle offers spectacular views over the Tagus River and the surrounding natural landscape, being an excellent spot for photographs and enjoying nature.

Access and Visits

- Easy to visit, with good infrastructure for tourists.

- It is an ideal place for those who appreciate history, culture and natural landscapes.

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

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