Castle of Arraiolos

Castelo de Arraiolos is a circular fortress built on a hilltop with defensive walls, a clock tower, and several standing structures within its perimeter. The layout includes the inner keep, palace ruins, walkable wall sections, and two named gates with watchtowers at its entrances.

King Dinis commissioned this fortress between 1306 and 1310 to serve as a key defensive stronghold in the Alentejo region. The Church of Salvador was first built in 1271 and later underwent major renovation during the 16th century.

The Church of Salvador within the walls served as a spiritual center for those who lived and worked within the fortress. Today visitors see how worship and defense were physically intertwined in daily life.

The site is accessible on foot, though the climb to the hilltop requires some effort and pathways can be uneven in places. It is best visited during daylight hours to safely explore the walls and enjoy views from above.

Its distinctive round shape is unusual among Portuguese castles and reflects a design that provided equal defensive strength in all directions. This geometry allowed defenders to observe and strike at attackers from multiple positions simultaneously.