Castelo de Palmela
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About
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Why go
- The castle stands 240 metres above sea level.
- Clear-weather views from the keep reach Lisbon.
- The castle is part of Arrábida Natural Park.
- Its National Monument status dates to 1910.
Don't miss
- KeepRemodelled and raised in the 14th century, it has a crenellated crown and an internal stone staircase.Inner defensive circuit
- Santa Maria churchBuilt in the 12th century and rebuilt during the Renaissance.Middle defensive circuit
- Santiago church and conventThe Gothic church and convent form a religious ensemble within the castle.Middle defensive circuit
Know before you go
- Opening hours: The castle is open 24 hours every day.
Interesting facts3
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1384
In 1384, Nuno Álvares Pereira lit bonfires on the towers to signal his approach to the besieged Mestre de Avis.
Castelo de Palmela - Wikipedia -
1423
João I expanded and strengthened the castle in 1423.
Castelo de Palmela - Wikipedia -
1484
In 1484, Garcia de Meneses, Bishop of Évora, was imprisoned in the keep’s dry cistern and died there days later.
Castelo de Palmela - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Occupation continued under the Visigoths and then Muslims. Archaeological work has taken place in the castle grounds since the late 20th century, and some spaces became museum rooms, service areas and shops.
- Neolithic periodHuman occupation in the area dates to the Neolithic.
- 8th–9th centuriesMuslim communities built the first fortifications.
- 10th–12th centuriesThe fortifications were greatly expanded.
- 1186Palmela and its lands were granted to the Order of Santiago.
- 1191The Almohad Caliphate captured the castle and damaged its defences.
Show all
- 1201After the castle was retaken, its defences were repaired.
- 1443The Order of Santiago settled permanently in the church and convent.
- 17th centuryPeter II modernized the defences with artillery-era bastions.
- 1755An earthquake seriously damaged the castle.
- 1945Former convent buildings began operating as an inn.
- 1970sThe inn joined the Pousadas de Portugal network.
Sources: Castle of Palmela - Wikipedia · Palmela - Wikivoyage (sleep) · Câmara Municipal de Palmela · Taxas e Tarifas - CM Palmela · História da Água no Concelho de Palmela - CM Pa… · Château de Palmela - Wikipedia · Castelo de Palmela - Wikipedia · 2023 - CM Palmela · 2023 - CM Palmela · EB Hermenegildo Capelo reúne alunas, alunos e f… · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Website
- cm-palmela.pt/
- Phone
- +351 21 232 2122
Questions and answers
How can I contact Castelo de Palmela?
Telephone: +351 21 232 2122.
What became of Castelo de Palmela’s convent buildings?
They were converted into an inn from 1945 and joined the Pousadas de Portugal network in the 1970s.
Does Castelo de Palmela have museum spaces?
Since the late 20th century, archaeological work has taken place in the grounds. Some spaces became museum rooms, service areas and shops.
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