Castelo de Arraiolos
Posted by: manchanegra
N 38° 43.544 W 007° 59.276
29S E 587974 N 4286827
Arraiolos Castle is located in the Village of Arraiolos in Alentejo, Portugal.
It is also known as Paço dos Alcaides.
Waymark Code: WMX11
Location: Portugal
Date Posted: 10/31/2006
Views: 71
Arraiolos Castle is located in the Village of Arraiolos in Alentejo, Portugal.
It is also known as Paço dos Alcaides.
The ancient ocupation of the rocky hill known as the Cabeço de São Pedro is pré-historic. It´sa believe that the settle may date from 300 b.c.
The fortification on that place dates from 1217 when King D Afonso II orders the construction of the Castle.
The Castle was getting abandoned in the XIV century because the place was cold, windy and unpleasant to live. The King D Fernando has tried to solve the problem giving the inhabitants special previlleges but, it didn´t work.
After this crisis, the castle was donated to D. Nunos Alvares Pereira (O Condestável) tho whom was granted the title of Count of Arraiolos.
He used the Castle as a base for several military expeditions against the Kingdom of Castela (Spain).
At the end of the XVI century the castle was still inhabitated but there were some new homes in the nearby hills.
In 1613 the castle was in an advanced state of ruin.
From 1640 to 1656 it was remodelled for strategic reasons but it soon fell into ruin.
At the beginning of the XX century it was classified as National Monument and all the walls were renewed and fixed.
Accessibility: Full access
Condition: Partly ruined
Admission Charge?: no
Website: Not listed
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