Europe · Portugal · Leiria
Óbidos Castle
The story
History of Óbidos Castle
A Moorish castle taken by Afonso Henriques, standing over a village of whitewashed houses enclosed by intact medieval walls.
Portugal · Leiria · Medieval
- Built
- from 1148
- Era
- Medieval
- Style
- Medieval
- Country
- Portugal
- Region
- Leiria
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 39.361, -9.157
In depth
The fuller history
Óbidos had its foundation in the existence of a fortified settlement, likely over the Luso-Roman castro and Roman oppidum (then civitas) on the hilltop, that was the mysterious Eburobrittium, once cited by Pliny the Elder as being situated between Collipo (present-day Golpilheira near Leiria) and Olisipo (Lisbon). Archeological surveys later resulted in the discovery of a forum, baths and other Roman structures near the settlement.
Key dates
- 1153The first surveys of the castle were undertaken in 1153, although the castle was never completely conquered until the reign of King D.
- 1755During the 1755 Lisbon earthquake the castle suffered structural damage.
- 1842In 1842, the Albarrã tower was transformed into a clocktower.
- 1932From 1932, the town saw the first interventions of consolidation, reconstruction and restoration by the Direcção-Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais (Directorate-General for National Monuments and Buildings).
- 1948But, after many years of abandon, in 1948, the castle was transformed into a pousada, under a project developed by João Filipe Vaz Martins.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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