Alegrete Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Portalegre > Portalegre > Alegrete > Vila

Location

Alegrete Castle stands atop a rocky hill, at an altitude of over five hundred meters, in the village of Alegrete, municipality of Portalegre. This dominant position offers a wide and stunning perspective over the surrounding landscape of Alto Alentejo, particularly over the vast olive groves and the São Pedro Stream. Its striking presence on the horizon makes it a natural viewpoint over a vast Alentejan landscape, inviting moments of contemplation.

The fortress is intrinsically linked to the village's primitive settlement, whose Gothic walls, still visible in some sections like the Porta da Vila (Village Gate), extend from the castle and embrace the urban cluster. This integration gives the place an atmosphere where the history of territorial defense merges with the community's daily life.

Memory of Centuries

The history of Alegrete Castle dates back to ancient times, with evidence of human occupation on the site since the times of the Lusitanians, Romans, and later, the Moors. Its connection to the Portuguese Crown solidified in the 13th century, after the Convention of Badajoz, under the reign of D. Afonso III. It was a period of significant reinforcement works, which continued during the time of D. Dinis, when the village received its Charter.

Throughout the centuries, the castle played a vital role in border defense, witnessing crucial moments in Portuguese history. It served as a stage and refuge in various battles, from supporting the Master of Avis during the crisis of 1383-1385, with the presence of D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, to the War of Restoration. Of particular note is the tradition of 1662, when the governor of the stronghold, La Coste, offered wine to D. João de Áustria's Spanish enemy, in a gesture of gallantry that, it is said, led to the lifting of the siege, demonstrating the garrison's resilience and spirit.

Architecture and Defensive Structure

Alegrete Castle is an example of Gothic military architecture, featuring an irregular rectangular plan. Its robust walls, built with a variety of local stones, including quartzite and schist, still tell the story of medieval defensive techniques. The Porta do Sol (Sun Gate), or Porta da Traição (Gate of Treason), to the east, and the Porta da Vila (Village Gate), to the north, are points of interest that reveal the complexity of its defenses.

Inside the walled perimeter, the Torre de Menagem (Keep), with a rectangular plan and two floors, stands out; it included a cistern essential for subsistence during sieges. The adarve, the wall-walk that allowed for surveillance and defense, with access via stone stairs, offers a privileged perspective over the inner courtyard and the landscape beyond the walls. Consolidation and restoration interventions over the last few decades have sought to preserve these characteristics, allowing for a better understanding of its original configuration.

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