Category: Civil Architecture > Building
District: Setúbal > Alcácer do Sal > Alcácer do Sal > Santa Maria do Castelo e Santiago
The Albergaria Ordem de Santiago is located in the picturesque town of Alcácer do Sal, one of Europe's oldest settlements, situated in the district of Setúbal. Nestled within the parish of Santa Maria do Castelo and Santiago, this historic building is harmoniously integrated into the town's urban fabric, which stretches along a hill overlooking the Sado River. Its position in the heart of Alcácer do Sal gives it an atmosphere of tranquility and an intrinsic link to local history.
The Albergaria Ordem de Santiago is a testament to the significant presence of the Military Order of Santiago in the Alcácer do Sal region. Buildings with this designation served, in their genesis, as places of welcome and rest. Their primary function was to provide shelter to members of the Order, pilgrims, and other travelers who sought these parts in past eras, when journeys were long and required safe stopping points. The existence of this inn underscores Alcácer do Sal's strategic importance as one of the main centers on the routes and domains administered by the Order, which played a crucial role in the Christian Reconquista and the development of the Lower Alentejo territory.
As a civil architecture building, the Albergaria Ordem de Santiago stands out for its constructive typology, which reflects the characteristics of edifices intended for accommodation and residence in bygone eras. Its structure, although with details that may have been altered over the centuries, maintains the sobriety and functionality that characterized the properties of the Military Order of Santiago. It is an example of the everyday architecture that supported the Order's activities, erected with materials and techniques that harmoniously integrated into the environment of Alcácer do Sal town.
The Albergaria Ordem de Santiago is not merely a construction, but an important symbol of the strong presence of the Military Order of Santiago in Portugal and, particularly, in Alcácer do Sal. It represents the vast network of support and infrastructure that the Order maintained for its members and for the progress of the territories under its dominion. Its preservation, even if adapted to modern times, allows for a journey through time, offering a tangible perspective on the life and operations of one of the most powerful Portuguese military orders, whose legacy continues to shape the historical and cultural identity of the Alentejo region.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.37141678901308,-8.507333185575346
Coordinates DMS: 38°22'17.1"N 08°30'26.4"W
Weather Alcácer do Sal
On-duty Pharmacy Alcácer do Sal
