Castelo de Mértola

Mértola Castle
Castelo de Mértola
Mértola, Lower Alentajo in Portugal
Mertola Castle
Coordinates	37°38′17″N 7°39′52″W / 37.63806°N 7.66444°W / 37.63806; -7.66444
Site history
Built	930 AD - 1031 AD

Castelo de Mértola (Castle of Mertola in English) is a castle in the town of Mértola, Portugal. It is classified as a National Monument. The castle is located on the highest point of the town. Even though the castle is of Muslim origin, the current building dates from a reconstruction carried out by the knights of the Order of Saint James of the Sword after the town was taken by the Christians. The defenses include a city wall, which still encircles the town.

History

Ibn Qasi was governor of the Taifa of Mértola it is likely that defensive works during his rule (1144-1151) were carried out to the castle.

In 1171 already under the control of the Almohad Caliphate, the castle was enlarged with a tower and in 1184 a turret at the entrance gate.

The most notable feature of the castle is its 30 m high keep tower, finished around 1292, which has an inner hall covered with Gothic vaulting.

Coordinates: 37°38′17″N 7°39′52″W / 37.63806°N 7.66444°W / 37.63806; -7.66444

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