Castle of Castro Marim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castle of Castro Marim |
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| Castelo de Castro Marim | |
| Faro, Algarve, Algarve in Portugal | |
The barren and sparse façade of the Castle overlooking the parish of the same name
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| Coordinates | 37°13′6.69″N 7°26′31″W / 37.2185250°N 7.44194°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Portuguese Republic |
| Operator | Núcleo Museológico do Castelo de Castro Marim |
| Open to the public |
Public |
| Site history | |
| Built | 854 BCE |
| Materials | Stonework, Masonry (limestone and red shale), Plaster, Wood, Tile |
The Castle of Castro Marim is an old castle on a hill. It looks over the town of Castro Marim in the Portuguese Algarve region. This castle was an important part of the defense line for the Knights Templar. They were a powerful group of knights. It was also a strong base during the Reconquista, when Christians took back land from the Moors. Later, it was used to protect the border during the Portuguese Restoration War.
The castle is in a special place. It is close to salt pans and the mouth of the Guadiana River. Inside the castle walls, there are two old stone carvings. One carving is the first to mention a town started by a Portuguese king. The other carving shows changes made during the time of King Denis.
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History of Castro Marim Castle
Long ago, a very old settlement existed near where the castle stands today. It dates back to the Neolithic period. Different groups lived there over time, including the Phoenicians, Greeks (around 854 BC), and Carthaginians (in the late 4th century BC). This early settlement was destroyed before the Romans arrived.
When the Romans came, they rebuilt the fort. It became a key place for trade and politics. This importance continued even when the Moors ruled the area.
How the Castle Became Portuguese
In the 1230s, Christian forces from the Order of Saint James of the Sword began taking back the eastern Algarve region. Many people moved into the Castro Marim area. In 1238, King Sancho II of Portugal captured the mouth of the Guadiana River. This helped lead to the capture of Castro Marim in 1242 by Paio Peres Correia.
Because Castro Marim was on the border between Christian and Arab lands, not many Christians wanted to live there. So, in 1274, King Afonso III of Portugal tried to get more people to settle in Castro Marim. On July 8, 1277, he gave the town a special document called a foral. This document offered benefits to settlers. At the same time, he ordered the castle to be rebuilt.
King Denis and the Castle's Expansion
In the late 1200s, King Denis of Portugal made the castle stronger. He did this after losing the town of Ayamonte to Castile. He improved the old castle, called Castelo Velho. He also built a new outer defense, called the Castelo de Fora (or barbican), to protect the people living there.
On July 1, 1279, work began on replacing or building the castle gate. This was one of the first big projects started by King Denis. This project was part of a larger plan to expand Portuguese control. On May 1, 1282, King Denis gave Castro Marim and its surroundings an even bigger foral (charter).
The Knights of Christ and Later Years
In 1319, Pope John XXII gave Castro Marim to the newly formed Military Order of Christ. This order was like the Knights Templar. The castle became their first headquarters. The Pope said the castle was "very strong and has a favorable defensive place, which is on the frontier with other known enemies."
However, in 1334, the Order's headquarters moved to Tomar. This meant the castle was left empty for a while. The town's management was given to the Order of Santiago. They started building the Church of Santiago inside the castle walls.
In 1421, King John I of Portugal allowed 40 unhappy people to settle there. This was to help increase the population. In 1453, King Afonso V of Portugal visited the castle. He made rules about fishing in the area.
Changes Over the Centuries
In 1504, King Manuel I of Portugal ordered the castle walls to be repaired. Designs were made in 1509-1510 by Duarte de Armas. These designs included modern defenses. The castle was built to follow the shape of the land.
In 1600, a writer named Henrique Fernandes Sarrão said the castle had "three gates within the impenetrable castle, that was rebuilt from scratch, with a tall tower." During the Restoration War around 1640, the castle was updated with new defenses. This work finished during the time of King Afonso VI of Portugal. The area's defenses included this castle, the Fort of São Sebastião, and the Revelim of Santo António.
Earthquakes and Restoration
The big 1755 Lisbon earthquake caused a lot of damage. The old town inside the castle walls was destroyed. It had to be rebuilt outside the walls. The Church of Santiago was also ruined. It was moved to another chapel. King Joseph ordered the castle to be rebuilt.
From 1942 to 1952, a government group worked to fix the castle. They rebuilt walls, repaired stairs, and fixed roofs. Six years later, they worked on the inside and outside of the castle.
In 1960, parts of the castle were turned into a museum. More repairs were done, including fixing vaulted ceilings and arches. The castle was hit by another earthquake on February 28, 1969.
Starting in 1977, more work was done to strengthen the castle. This included restoring the powder magazine and a Renaissance-era chapel. Repairs to the walls and roof tiles continued in the following years.
Between 2000 and 2003, an archaeologist named Ana Margarida Arruda led digs inside the castle. From 2007 to 2008, local authorities approved a large budget to improve and strengthen the castle and its defenses.
What the Castle Looks Like
The Castle of Castro Marim is built on a hill. It overlooks the town of Castro Marim. It is located near the Guadiana River and is part of the Marsh Nature Reserve. Inside the castle walls, you can find the Church of Santiago. Behind another set of walls is the Fort of São Sebastião.
Outer Walls and Defenses
The outer defense of the city, called the barbican, looks like an uneven triangle. It has battlements with gaps for defense. On the south side, there's a platform. On the east and west, there are two low rectangular towers. These towers have simple doors. The door on the west tower has the old coat-of-arms of Portugal and a carving.
This carving is on sandstone and marks the settlement of Castro Marim by King Afonso III of Portugal. It shows five castles and four shields. The carving from 1274 is quite worn. It says something like: "In the year 1274, King Afonso of Portugal and Algarve settled Castro Marim..."
The Old Castle Inside
On the north wall, you'll find the old castle. It has a shape like a trapezoid or rectangle. It is surrounded by battlements and has four round towers at each corner. On the north and south sides, there are arched doorways. One of these has a coat-of-arms and a carving.
Inside the castle, there are two-story buildings on the west and north sides. These buildings have rectangular doors and windows. On the east side, you can see the ruins of a square and other buildings. On the outside, along the south wall, there are remains of a strong tower.
In the old town area, you can still see some structures and ruins of rectangular paths, one with an arch. Another carving marks the start of the castle's construction. It has a simple frame and a shield with three smaller shields. This carving from 1279 says something like: "On Saturday, the first day of July, this gate was... made in the time of King Denis..."
See also
- List of castles in Portugal
- Castles in Portugal
- Monuments of Portugal
- History of Portugal
In Spanish: Castillo de Castro Marim para niños
