Castle of Campo Maior

Castle of Campo Maior

Type: Fort / Castle / Church
Time spent: 60-90 min
Parking: available
Bike parking: not available
WC: available
Price: free
[!]The visit is always guided - scheduled
Languages: English, Portuguese
Reservations[?]: just for large groups

The recently reconstructed castle attracts tourists to visit Alentejo. The visit includes a church, watching short films, interactive activities, and multiple exhibitions about the local history. It is always guided and scheduled [check the web page]. It takes 90 min, but it depends on your will to watch films and do interactive activities.

[!]Check the last entrance time.

The castle and lands were integrated into the national territory in 1297 under the Treaty of Alcanizes. To maintain the peace between Spain and Portugal, King Denis ordered the reconstruction of the fortress in 1310. These fortifications were extended during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the fortification was adapted for the time, obtaining the bulwarks and secondary walls, in addition to the installation of permanent military storehouses, stables, and barracks.

In 1732, an explosion in powder magazines (caused by thunderstorms) resulted in the destruction of the castle and surrounding walls of the old town around 3:00 in the morning; many of the homes around the walls were destroyed. The explosion resulted in a fire that consumed almost half of the town's homes.

It was a cold sunny day but the view was amazing and the information boards were in English as well as Spanish which was great.

I really enjoyed this walk back through time. The restoration work carried out so far on the castle is excellent. My guide was a young man about to start college studying tourism, english and french. His english is very good. He had a great amount of knowledge about the castle and its history. Without a doubt, one of the better guided tours I have been on.

A journey through the history of one of the most important fortifications in Portugal in its defense against the Kingdom of Castile. Excellent museum and castle, recently renovated and equipped with technology that will make us contemplate the important events that took place here with the greatest comfort and beauty. It is worth making one of the visits, which take place at 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 2:15 pm and 3:15 pm, as you will be very well received and guided!

Must go there. Impressive restoration of a 17th century fortress. The interpretation museum, next to it, is also very interesting. The young lady in charge of the visit spoke english and was really taking of the translation in english. This is not the case everywhere.