Remains of the Tower and Walls of the Old Castle of Atouguia da Baleia

The remains of the tower and walls of the old Castle of Atouguia da Baleia (Portuguese: Restos da torre e muralhas do antigo Castelo de Atouguia da Baleia) are a modest but historically interesting monument in the municipality of Peniche, Leiria District, Portugal. A stretch of defensive wall and a tower survive, recalling a time when Atouguia da Baleia mattered more than neighbouring Peniche.

What can you see?

A small section of wall survives, roughly oval in outline. On the northwest side it is reinforced by a tower with a rectangular plan. This is not a large fortress with rooms and courtyards to tour, but rather stone traces of a former defensive system, set among the buildings of the village. The site lies near coordinates 39.340 N, 9.325 W.

What did the original castle look like?

Nobody knows exactly what the first fortification looked like. The surviving elements date from after the 12th century. Scholars assume the earliest stronghold followed Romanesque principles: walls enclosing an inner courtyard, with a keep standing alone at its centre.

A short history

Under King Sancho I (1185-1211), the settlement received a new charter (foral) in 1187, and by then a military structure at Atouguia da Baleia was already mentioned.

Geography changed over the centuries. Gradual silting of the mouth of the São Domingos river and the Atouguia inlet joined the island of Peniche to the mainland by a sand bar. This allowed the settlement of Peniche to grow, and it eventually took over as the main port of the area.

In the 16th century, under John III (1521-1557), repairs to the Atouguia walls were ordered, at a time when pirates and corsairs threatened the Portuguese coast. Even so, the lord of the town, Luís de Ataíde, acknowledged that this fortification was secondary to the port and castle of Peniche, and he even managed to redirect royal funds there.

Heritage protection

The remains of the tower and walls of the old castle are classified as an Item of Public Interest (Imóvel de Interesse Público) under Ordinance No. 107/2006.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? We found no information about fees. The walls stand in the open, within the village, so they can be viewed from outside.

Is it a complete castle? No. Only a section of wall and one rectangular tower remain.

Why did the castle lose importance? Silting of the inlet and the rise of Peniche shifted defence and maritime trade to the neighbouring port.

Who is it for? Anyone interested in medieval Portuguese history and lesser-known monuments, for example during a trip around the Peniche area.

In summary

Although the ruins are small, they illustrate well how a changing coastline shaped the fate of Portuguese towns. They are worth a short stop when exploring around Peniche, especially if you are curious about the coast's past defences.