Castle of Almourol

The Castle of Almourol is a small medieval castle situated on a rocky islet in the middle of the Tagus River, in central Portugal. Its origins date to the 12th century and it is closely associated with the medieval reconquest period.

Foundations and early masonry date to the 12th century and the site was part of frontier fortifications in the centuries after the Christian reconquest; it has been repaired and restored at various times since the medieval period. The castle has long been linked in local history with the military orders that defended central Portugal.

Perched on an islet in the Tagus near the town of Vila Nova da Barquinha, the castle lies in the Santarém district of central Portugal and is roughly 110 to 120 km north of Lisbon.

• Access details: Located on a granite islet in the Tagus, the castle is often accessed by short boat trips or by a foot crossing at low water from the riverbank.
• Historical association: Associated with the medieval frontier defences of central Portugal and the Knights Templar, the site is highly photogenic from riverside viewpoints.

What to See #

• Keep and curtain walls: A compact hilltop fortress concentrated around a central keep and low curtain walls built on a small islet in the Tagus River, with stair access from the riverbank.
• Chapel and interior rooms: A small chapel and internal service rooms occupy the castle interior; the ensemble preserves medieval masonry and crenellations visible from the river.