Ourém Medieval Castle

Strategically located in the centre of the country and in a region with a great diversity of natural resources, Ourém Castle takes on an imposing form and is therefore considered one of the most beautiful castles in Portugal. The name of the municipality, according to history, comes from the Moorish woman Fátima who fell in love with a Templar knight and then converted to Christianity, taking on the name of Oureana.

D. In 1136, Afonso Henriques conquered Ourém from the Moors and gave it to his daughter Infanta Dona Teresa, thus making it one of the most important territories of the Portuguese queens until 1364, when João I granted it to Nuno Álvares Pereira, Count of Ourém.

Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, the walls of the original castle were torn down with the construction of the Paço do Conde in the 15th century and, with the earthquake of 1755, this imposing building was largely destroyed. The subsequent French invasions at the beginning of the 19th century aggravated its deterioration. In 1910 it was classified as a National Monument. Restoration work on Ourém Castle began in the 1930s by the General Directorate for National Buildings and Monuments (DGEMN) and it is currently owned by the House of Bragança.

Formed by three quadrangular towers and a triangular enclosure, the north-west facing tower features 14th century Italian-influenced corbels. In the centre of the enclosure you can see a cistern that allows water to be kept inside all year round, which is why it never surrendered to any enemy sieges.

At the top of the town, with a unique view over the surrounding landscape, Ourém Castle is a must-see.