Castle of Alegrete

Castle of Alegrete (Portuguese: Castelo de Alegrete) is a medieval fortress in the civil parish of Alegrete, in the municipality of Portalegre, in Portugal's Alto Alentejo region. It sits on a rocky hill on the south-western slope of the Serra de São Mamede, close to the Spanish border.

Where is the Castle of Alegrete and how do you get there?

The castle rises above the village of Alegrete, about 10 km from Portalegre, the district capital. Its coordinates are roughly 39.237 N, 7.324 W. The easiest way to reach it is by car from Portalegre. The hilltop fortress dominates the village skyline, so it is hard to miss. The surrounding landscape belongs to the São Mamede range, a hilly setting that contrasts with the flatter plains typical of much of the Alentejo.

Why was this fortress so important?

Its hilltop position gave control over the central stretch of the old medieval road linking the castles of this mountain range. Alegrete ranked among the more important strongholds of the Alto Alentejo, and its defensive role lasted for centuries. The area had a turbulent past even before the castle: in the 5th century it was reportedly devastated by the Vandals and later resettled by the Alans, and in the 8th century it was taken by the Moors.

What is the history of the castle?

In 1267, under the Treaty of Badajoz between Afonso III of Portugal and Alfonso X of Castile, Alegrete was formally incorporated into the Portuguese crown. A turning point came in 1319, when King Denis (D. Dinis) raised the settlement to town status, granted it a charter (foral), and ordered the construction of the castle, its surrounding wall, and a keep.

Since the Christian reconquest, the fortress stayed under Portuguese control with one exception: in 1475, during the reign of Afonso V, Castilian troops occupied it. When the succession crisis of 1580 broke out, the old castle regained importance as part of the first line of border defence. From 1664 its defences were modernised and reinforced at key points under the direction of the Marquis of Marialva. In 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession, Philip V besieged Alegrete with a powerful army. The castle also suffered during the War of the Oranges in 1801.

Is the castle a protected monument?

Yes. It was classified as a National Monument in 1946 (Decree-Law no. 35,443 of 2 January). From 1965, consolidation and restoration works were carried out by the national buildings and monuments directorate (DGEMN).

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The castle pairs well with a stroll through the village of Alegrete itself and a trip to Portalegre. Fans of fortifications can treat it as one stop on the trail of Alentejo's border strongholds. The hilltop offers views over the surrounding countryside, so bring a camera and comfortable shoes.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Castle of Alegrete? In the village of Alegrete, about 10 km from Portalegre, in the Alto Alentejo region.

When was the castle built? The fortress is linked to 1319, when King Denis granted Alegrete a town charter and ordered the castle, walls and keep to be built.

Is it a National Monument? Yes, it has held that status since 1946.

Was the castle ever besieged? Yes, notably in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession; Castilian troops also occupied it in 1475.