Misplaced Pages

The Castle of Borba (Portuguese: Castelo de Borba) is a medieval castle located in the civil parish of Borba, municipality of Borba, Portuguese district of Evora.

History

Early history

Archaeological evidence dates the early human occupation of Borba site back to the Gallo-Celtic tribes, occupied successively until the time of the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula.

Medieval Era

During the Christian reconquest of the peninsula, the town was taken by King Alfonso II (1211-1223) from the Moors in 1217. For its settlement and defense, the sovereign donated these domain to the Order of Aviz, encouraging the construction of the castle.

Because the region was in disputed territory with the Kingdom of Castile, under the reign of King Dinis (1279-1325), Borba definitely came into the possession of Portugal because of the signing of the Treaty of Alcanises in 1297. Due to its strategic importance, the king granted it a Foral charter in 1302, by which time he ordered the strengthening of defenses. King Manuel I (1495-1521) confirmed the town's charter.

16th century to modern era

In the Portuguese Restoration War, the town acquired strategic importance on the border As noted with other defensive structures in Portugal, the expansion of the urban area from the nineteenth century led to the integration of the medieval walls in houses. In the mid-twentieth century, the IGESPAR branch of the national government classified the castle as a site of Public Interest by Decree published on 18 July 1957.

Architecture

The castle has quadrangular shape according to its site plans. Its walls are constructed using stone masonry, topped by battlements in Gothic style. Its top is covered, in whole extension, by a battlement. The entrance gate is defended by two semi-circular plant turrets that surround a keep. On the exterior, originally, there was a moat.

References

1. Seara.com. "Castelo de Borba | Turismo do Alentejo". Turismo do Alentejo. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
2. "DGPC | Pesquisa Geral". www.patrimoniocultural.pt. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
3. "Muralhas do Castelo". www.cm-borba.pt. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
4. "DGPC | Pesquisa Geral". www.patrimoniocultural.pt. Retrieved 2016-04-05.

38°48′20″N 7°27′22″W / 38.80548°N 7.45614°W / 38.80548; -7.45614

v t e Castles in Portugal
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
Also See: Castles in Portugal

• Castles in Portugal
• Castles in Évora District
• Properties of Public Interest in Portugal