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Situated on
a small steep island, Almourol Castle is one of the most emblematic medieval
military monuments of the Christian Reconquest and the memory of the Templars
in Portugal.
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| Almourol Castle |
Its
origin is mysterious,
since when this place was conquered by the Portuguese troops, in 1129, the
castle already existed and was denominated of Almorolan. Given the fact that
the castle was constructed over a Roman construction, some authors admit that
its origin is due to a primitive Lusitanian, or pre-Roman, citadel.
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| Almourol Castle, the most emblematic medieval castle of the Christian Reconquest |
The castle was
delivered to the guard of the Templars and, in 1171, was rebuilt by order
of Gualdim Pais. After the Christian reconquest and the extinction of the Order
of the Templars, lost its military function and strategic interest, being
abandoned. In the 20th century, the castle was adapted to be the Official
Residence of the Portuguese Republic, hosting many important events of
Estado Novo (name of the authoritarian, autocratic and corporatist political
regime that prevailed in Portugal during 41 years).
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| Almourol Castle |
During the Middle Ages, the Castle aroused many legends and myths!
One of them
became known as the Legend of D. Ramiro and Beatriz.
D. Ramiro,
a Christian knight, returned proudly of a fight against the Muslims, when he
met two Moors, mother and daughter. The knight asks for some water, the
frightened young woman drops the water bottle and D. Ramiro, ruthless, ends up
killing the two women. At that moment appears a young Moor, son and brother of
the victims, who attends the murder and vows revenge. D. Ramiro restrained him
in the castle, where he lived with his wife and daughter. The young man begins
his revenge, ministering a poison of slow action to the wife of D. Ramiro.
However ... falls madly in love with the daughter of D. Ramiro and ran away
with her.
The legend says that ... during the nights of St. John (night of 23 to 24
June), the couple can be seen hugged at the top of the tower and at their feet,
the cruel D. Ramiro asks for forgiveness.
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| Almourol Castle |
How to get to Almourol Castle?
The castle
is located 132 km from Lisbon (~ 1h30 travel). The best way to get there is by
using GPS: 08º23'56,552''W - 39º27'31,494''N. Access to the island and
to the castle is done in boats with capacity for 20 people on the quay near the
Castle of Almourol, Cais D'El Rei in Tancos.
Timetable:
October
1 to April 30: Closed on
Monday
1
May to 30 September:
Open every day
1
November to 28 February:
10am to 1pm (last visit to the castle at 12:20 p.m.) - 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
(last visit to the castle at 4:40 p.m.)
1
March to 31 October:
10am to 1pm (last visit to the castle at 12.20) - 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (last
visit to the castle at 6:20 p.m.)
Price: € 2.50 (entrance to the castle)
Contacts, reservations and information:
Town
Council of Tancos
Phone /
Fax: +351 249 712 094 | Cell phone: +351 962 625 678
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