Castelo de Torres Vedras
the public
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Castelo_de_Torres_vedras_-_interior_junto_a_port%C3%A3o_de_armas.jpg/240px-Castelo_de_Torres_vedras_-_interior_junto_a_port%C3%A3o_de_armas.jpg)
Castelo de Torres Vedras is a castle in Torres Vedras, Portugal. Characterized by a mix of Gothic and Manueline features, it is classified by IGESPAR as a Site of Public Interest.
History
Use of the castle area goes back to Roman times as evidenced by the existence of two Roman cisterns, tombstones, coins and other artifacts. Primitive fortifications date back to the time of the Goths. Its first walls were constructed by North Africans (known as Moors) during the time of Muslim control of Portugal. These walls were destroyed during the Christian reconquest when the castle was seized in 1148 by Afonso I of Portugal, but were immediately rebuilt. In 1288 King Denis ordered that the defences be strengthened and extended and Ferdinand I of Aragon ordered further improvements in 1373. [1][2][3]
The Castle of Torres Vedras has served as a temporary residence for several Portuguese kings. It was here that King John I gathered the Council that decided on the conquest in 1415 of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, that marked the beginning of the outward-looking policies of Portugal. In 1510, Torres Vedras received a municipal charter (Foral), and six years later King Manuel I, ordered reconstruction of the castle. Around 1520, the Palace of the Alcaides was constructed by the Chief Magistrate, João Soares de Alarcão. It remains the dominant feature of the castle, despite being in ruins. In 1589, during the Philippine dynasty (1581-1640), forces of António, Prior of Crato commanded by Sir Francis Drake disembarked in Peniche and briefly took the Castle of Torres Vedras.[1][3]
The castle suffered heavy damage from the 1755 earthquake, particularly the Palace of the Alcaides and some of the walls. In 1809, it was integrated into the Lines of Torres Vedras, which were defensive lines established by the Duke of Wellington to protect against French invasion during the Peninsular War. Together with the Fort of São Vicente on a hill immediately to its north, the castle, with about 500 soldiers, guarded the main road between Coimbra and Lisbon. As part of the adaptation by the British Royal Engineers for this purpose the castle door was demolished. During the Liberal Wars (or Portuguese Civil War), sections of the walls facing east and some turrets on the north side were rebuilt. During the so-called Little Civil War in 1846, it served as barracks for the troops of the Count of Bonfim and was bombarded by the forces of the Duke of Saldanha, which caused the almost total ruin of the Palace. Despite its poor condition, the castle continued to function as a barracks until the end of the 19th century.[1][2][3]
In 1929, the Ministry of War transferred the property to the municipality of Torres Vedras. In 1955 there was a collapse of part of the wall to the northwest. In 1957 the castle was classified as a Property of Public Interest and this was followed by several repairs being carried out but there remained the danger of collapse to part of the walls, which happened in 1963, leading to additional repairs.[3]
See also
- List of forts of the Lines of Torres Vedras
- Leonel Trindade Municipal Museum in Torres Vedras, which has an exhibition on the Lines of Torres Vedras.
References
- ^ a b c "Castelo de Torres Vedras". História de Portugal. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ a b "PATRIMÓNIO HISTÓRICO". Torres Vedras Camara Municipal. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Castelo de Torres Vedras". Fortalezas.org. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- v
- t
- e
- Castle of Abrantes
- Castle of Alandroal
- Castle of Alcácer do Sal
- Castle of Alcanede
- Castle of Alcantarilha
- Castle of Alcobaça
- Castle of Alcoutim
- Castle of Alegrete
- Castle of Alenquer
- Castle of Alfaiates
- Castle of Alfândega da Fé
- Castle of Alfeizerão
- Castle of Algoso
- Castle of Aljezur
- Castle of Aljustrel
- Castle of Almada
- Castle of Almourol
- Castle of Alter do Chão
- Castle of Alter Pedroso
- Castle of Alva
- Castle of Alvito
- Castle of Alvor
- Castle of Amieira do Tejo
- Castle of Arraiolos
- Castle of Arronches
- Castle of Atouguia da Baleia
- Castle of Avis
- Castle of Avô
- Castle of Azinhalinho
- Castle of Balsamão
- Castle of Barbacena
- Porto Pim bartizan
- Castle of Beja
- Castle of Belmonte
- Castle of Belver
- Castle of Bemposta
- Castle of Borba
- Castle of Braga
- Castle of Bragança
- Castle of Caminha
- Castle of Campo Maior
- Castle of Carrazeda de Ansiães
- Castle of Castelo Bom
- Castle of Castelo Branco
- Castelo de Idanha-a-Velha
- Castelo de Longroiva
- Castelo de Montel
- Castelo de Montemor-o-Novo
- Castelo de Nisa
- Castelo de Oleiros
- Castelo de Palmela
- Castelo de Pirescoxe
- Castelo de Portuzelo
- Castelo de Ranhados
- Castelo de Sesimbra
- Castelo de Sines
- Castelo de Torre de Coelheiros
- Castelo de Torres Vedras
- Castelo de Veiros
- Castle of Castelo Melhor
- Castle of Castelo Mendo
- Castle of Castelo de Vide
- Castle of Castelo Rodrigo
- Castle Fortress of Almeida
- Castle of Castro Marim
- Castle of Celorico da Beira
- Castle of Chaves
- Castle of Cola
- Castle of Crato
- Castle of Curutelo
- Castle of Degebe
- Castle of Elvas
- Castle of Esporão
- Castle of Estremoz
- Castle of Evoramonte
- Castle of Faria
- Fernandine Walls of Porto
- Castle of Folgosinho
- Castle of Freixo de Espada-à-Cinta
- Castle of Freixo de Numão
- Castle of Geraldo
- Castle of Guarda
- Castle of Guimarães
- Castle of Idanha-a-Nova
- Castelo de Juromenha
- Castle of Lagos
- Castle of Lamego
- Castle of Lanhoso
- Castle of Leiria
- Castle of Linhares
- Castle of Loulé
- Castle of Lousa
- Castle of Lousã
- Castle of Marialva
- Castle of Marvão
- Castle of Mau Vizinho (Vila Real)
- Castle of Melgaço
- Castle of Mertola
- Castle of Messejana
- Castle of Miranda do Douro
- Castle of Mirandela
- Castle of Mogadouro
- Castle of Moinhos
- Castle of Monção
- Castle of Monforte (Chaves)
- Castle of Monforte (Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo)
- Castle of Monsanto
- Castelo de Monsaraz
- Montalegre Castle
- Castle of Montalvão
- Castle of Montemor-o-Velho
- Castle of the Moors
- Castle of Moreira de Rei
- Castle of Mós
- Castle of Moura
- Castle of Mourão
- Castle of Noudar
- Castle of Numão
- Castle of Óbidos
- Castle of Ouguela
- Castle of Ourém
- Castle of Ourique
- Castle of Outeiro
- Castle of Paderne
- Castle of Pena de Aguiar
- Castle of Penamacor
- Castle of Penas Róias
- Castle of Penedono
- Castle of Penela
- Castle of Pinhel
- Castle of Pombal
- Castle of Portalegre
- Castle of Portel
- Castelo de Porto de Mós
- Castle of Rebordãos
- Castle of Redondo
- Castle of Redondos
- Castle of Ródão
- Sabugal Castle
- Castle of Salir
- Castle of Santa Maria da Feira
- Castle of Santarém
- Castle of Santo Estêvão
- São Jorge Castle
- Castle of São Ramão
- Castle of Seda
- Castle of Senhora da Luz
- Castle of Sernancelhe
- Castle of Serpa
- Castle of Silves
- Castle of Sortelha
- Castle of Soure
- Castle of Tavira
- Castle of Terena
- Castelo de Tomar
- Castelo de Torre de Moncorvo
- Castle of Torres Novas
- Tower of Bera
- Tower of Ferreira de Aves
- Castle of Trancoso
- Castle of Valongo
- Castle of Viana do Alentejo
- Castle of Vidigueira
- Castle of Vidigueiras
- Castle of Vila Flor
- Castle of Vila Nova de Cerveira
- Castle of Vila Nova de Foz Côa
- Castle of Vila Verde dos Francos
- Castle of Vila Viçosa
- Castle of Vilar Maior
- Castle of Vinhais
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Castelo_de_Plamela_2004-04.jpg/130px-Castelo_de_Plamela_2004-04.jpg)