Castelo De Santa Maria Da Feira
Sign up free — See who's going and message them.
Is this your place? Get the badge for your websiteAbout
More photos 4
1 / 4
Why go
- One of Portugal’s most complete examples of medieval military architecture.
- An irregular oval defensive circuit with a guarded entrance, moat, barbican and four rectangular watchtowers.
- A three-level keep with a cistern, a grand hall with three fireplaces and private residential rooms.
- The barbican gate, crowned by the Pereiras coat of arms and guarded by two square towers.
- A hexagonal Baroque chapel beside the northwest wall.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 13:00, 14:00 – 18:00Show all
Don't miss
- Palace remainsWalls, a staircase and a fountain survive from the demolished palace.Castle courtyard
- Casamata TowerIts vaulted chamber sheltered soldiers, with gun openings in the outer walls.
Know before you go
- Alameda Doutor Roberto Vaz Oliveira, Santa Maria da Feira
What's inside
- A protected patio leads to a rectangular prison tower.
- Beyond the keep, the so-called courtyard of betrayal precedes the tenaille, a defensive outwork.
Best time to visit
- Tuesday to Friday: 10:00–18:00.
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00–13:00 and 14:00–18:00.
Interesting facts3
-
Human occupation of the site dates back to prehistoric times.
Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira - Wikipedia -
Roman settlement remains here date to the early Empire.
Castle of Santa Maria da Feira - Wikipedia -
A Roman road linking Olissipo (now Lisbon) and Bracara Augusta (now Braga) passed the site.
Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
The fortress served as a forward base during the Christian Reconquista and as the administrative and military centre of Terra de Santa Maria, a territory on the left bank of the Douro.
- 868Alfonso III established Terra de Santa Maria and based its defences at the fortress.
- 1117A major fair began at the castle; over time, it gave the town its name.
- 1128The castle was a centre of the revolt between Afonso Henriques and Queen Teresa.
- 14th c.The castle walls were completed.
- 1448Fernão Pereira received the castle and was charged with rebuilding it; work finished in the second half of the 15th century.
Show all
- 1562Dom Diogo Forjaz ordered the parade-ground remodeling and a tower clock.
- 1656The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação opened.
- 15 January 1722Fire devastated the already abandoned castle.
- 1907 and 1909Restoration campaigns took place.
- 1927Paid tours were being offered.
- 1950Public access began and a new access route opened.
- 16 June 1910The castle was designated a National Monument.
Sources: Castle of Santa Maria da Feira - Wikipedia · Castle of Santa Maria da Feira - Wikipedia (par… · Castelo da Feira - Câmara Municipal de Santa Ma… · Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Website
- cm-feira.pt/castelodafeira
- Phone
- +351 256 372 248
Questions and answers
Why was Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira important to the royal family?
In 1188, Sancho I chose it as one of five castles where his queen and infantas could take refuge.
What does the inscription above Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira’s parade-ground door record?
It records that Dom Diogo Forjaz ordered the remodelling and a tower clock in 1562.
What does Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira’s 1940 granite inscription commemorate?
It commemorates the castle’s history as remembered by the Portuguese in 1940.
- See who's going — faces, not ticket counts.
- Write to someone who shares your interests — no swipes, no matches, no paywall.
- Pick the event or the place to meet at — and go together.