Castelo

Rua de Dom Dinis - 7800 Beja
Téléphone: (+351) 284.311.912

Castelo
Far away, the bulk of Beja's Castle, with its impressive keep, announces the city.

Now a symbol of the Christian victory, it nevertheless reflects centuries of tragic and bloody combats between the region's sucessive occupants.

It was originally a Roman citadel, later fortified by the Arabs, who were not too impacient to leave.

Of the fights against the Moors, the name of a brave soldier is always recalled: Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, known as o Lidador (the warrior) and killed in battle.

Beja pays him hommage through the square named after him, in font of the castle.

The most significant reconstruction of the fortress was concluded during the reign of king Dinis, when the keep was attached to it.

Square-shaped, it towers about 40 metres high.

With Gothic vaults and windows from the same period, there is a 197-step climb through its three storeys to reach the top.

The terrace, surrounded by triangular battlements, offers one of the best views over the city, and you can still glimpse the outline of the defensive walls that once exhibited 40 turrets.

Outside the city limits, golden plains stretch endlessly, dotted with cork-trees and holm-oaks, and the tiny houses of neighbouring villages are barely visible in the distance.