Campo Maior Castle

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Portalegre > Campo Maior > Campo Maior > São João Baptista

Location

- Situated in the parish of São João Baptista, in the municipality of Campo Maior, Alentejo, Portugal.

- Erected on the high ground of Santa Vitória, overlooking the cities of Badajoz and Elvas.

History

- The castle has origins dating back to prehistory, having been inhabited by various cultures, including Celts, Romans, and Muslims.

- Reconquered by Christian forces in the 13th century, it became part of Portuguese territory.

- In 1310, King D. Dinis ordered the castle to be rebuilt to reinforce the defense of the region.

- D. João II expanded the defenses at the end of the 15th century, transforming the town into a stronghold.

- Suffered significant damage in 1732 due to an explosion caused by lightning, which destroyed much of the town and the castle.

Heritage

- Classified as a National Monument since 1911.

- Underwent several restoration works throughout the 20th century, with the last major requalification inaugurated in 2021.

Architectural Features

- Located at an altitude of 299 meters, with battlemented walls built of stone.

- Originally had six rectangular towers; currently, two remain.

- The towers contain rooms with vaulted ceilings and a Renaissance window in the north tower.

- The town's enclosure has a trapezoidal shape and is reinforced by seven turrets, one of which is octagonal.

- The Chapel of Senhor dos Aflitos stands out, located in the southeastern sector of the walls.

Visits

- The castle is a tourist attraction offering panoramic views of the region.

- Important for understanding the military and cultural history of Campo Maior and the Alentejo.

- Ideal for walks and exploration of historical architecture.

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

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