Castelo de Castelo de Vide

The medieval fortress, comprising the castle and the urban enclosure, was built during the reign of King Dinis and completed during the reign of Alfonso IV in 1327. In the 17th century, expansion work was carried out on the fortification surrounding the town up to the current garden boundary. The São Lourenço Fort was built in the 18th century, when the bastioned fortification was extended with the Loureiros Wall. The fortress was remarkably large, surrounding almost the entire town. Located on one of the highest hills in the Serra de São Mamede, it served as a watchtower on one of the most important Roman military routes, connecting Mérida to the west coast of the Peninsula. This castle was the residence of the Marquises of Alvito and a cloister of the Order of the Trinitarians and Franciscans.