Castle of Alcantarilha, Medieval castle ruins in Alcantarilha, Portugal.
The Castle of Alcantarilha is a medieval limestone ruin with rectangular defensive openings, located near Rua da Misericórdia and Travessa do Castelo in the historical center. The remaining walls show the original defensive structure, though they are now connected to the town's modern market building.
The fortress was built in the 12th century under Arab rule and protected inhabitants from North African pirates until it declined after the 1755 earthquake. The destruction from the quake marked the end of its role as a defensive structure.
The fortress shows how medieval military structures were built in this region, and its walls are now part of the town market building, showing how people adapted the site over time. This blend of old defense walls and modern marketplace tells how the location changed to serve new purposes.
The site is easy to reach on foot in the center of Alcantarilha and the remains can be viewed from outside. It helps to take time to look at how the walls are integrated into the market building to understand the historical layering of the place.
Excavations near the fortress uncovered a 16th-century road, revealing that this location was strategically positioned between the cities of Faro and Silves. This archaeological find shows how important the route was for trade and communication at that time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
