Castle of Torres Novas, Medieval castle in Torres Novas, Portugal.
The Castle of Torres Novas is a medieval hilltop fortress above the town of Torres Novas in the Santarém region of Portugal. Several wall sections, towers, and gate openings still stand, giving a clear sense of how the fortification was once laid out.
The fortress was built in the 12th century under King Sancho I to defend the region against Moorish incursions. The 1755 earthquake left it badly damaged, and later military conflicts changed its structure further.
The castle was a key defensive stronghold that shaped the region's development and left its mark on the town below. Visitors can still see how the medieval fortifications were laid out and understand the role they played in protecting the area.
The grounds around the castle are open to walk through, and the hilltop position offers wide views over the town and the plain below. Signboards placed along the paths give context for what you are looking at in each section.
During restoration work in the mid-20th century, parts of the original wall structure were uncovered that had been buried under rubble for centuries. This brought to light sections of the castle that were previously thought to be lost.
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