Remains of the walls of Santarém

Category: Military Architecture > Walls

District: Santarém > Santarém > Santarém > Alfange

Location

The remains of Santarém's walls are located in the Alfange area, an urban part of the city that maintains a historical and geographical connection with the Tagus River. This area represented one of the limits of Santarém's ancient defensive enclosure, defining its perimeter along the riverbank. When walking through this area, visitors can encounter fragments of the old walled structure, testimonies to the city's remarkable urban evolution over the centuries.

A Defensive Past

What today are the remains of Santarém's walls was, in times past, an imposing defensive structure, designed to protect the ancient citadel. Its medieval layout extended for kilometers, safeguarding a vast territory that encompassed the plateau and stretched to the banks of the Tagus River, including the Alfange neighborhood.

Throughout the centuries, these fortifications played a central role in the city's history, undergoing various transformations and adaptations. They reflect the influence of several cultures and eras, from the earliest occupations to the Christian conquest, which occurred in 1147, leading to the remodelling and reinforcement of the primitive structures.

Remains of a Lost Grandeur

The remnants of Santarém's walls tell a complex story of successive remodelling and challenges. From the 18th century onwards, and more intensely in the 19th century, many sections of the wall were intentionally demolished or absorbed by the growing urban fabric. The city's expansion led to the disintegration of part of its ancient defensive structure, allowing for the creation of new communication routes and the construction of buildings.

Despite this progressive disintegration, these remains, classified as a National Monument since 1917, stand as a tangible testament to the scale and importance of medieval Santarém. By observing them, visitors are invited to imagine their original appearance and the strategic role they played throughout the city's history.

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