Castle of Almourol

The Castle of Almourol is regarded as Portugal’s most beautiful castle! Situated on a small cliffy island in the middle of the Tagus River, Almourol Castle is one of the most significant military Medieval monuments, which best evokes the memory of the Knights Templar in Portugal.

The origins of the occupation of this place are quite mysterious, but in 1129 the castle already existed and it was called Almorolan. Under the ruling of the Knights Templar the castle was rebuilt and it still presents today the main artistic and architectural features of that time. The main door shows the date of the castle’s foundation: 1171.

With the extinction of the Order of the Knights Templar in Portugal the castle was somehow abandoned. It was not until the 19th century that the castle was reinvented according to a Romanticism ideal of the Medieval flair.

In the 20th century, the castle of Almourol was converted in official residence of the Portuguese Republic, hosting several important events of the dictatorship.

It can now be visited from Monday to Sunday, departing from Tancos every hour.
01.11 – 28.02 – from 10 to 1e and from 14:30 to 17
01.03 – 31.10 – from 10 to 13 and from 14:30 to 19

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