Castelo de Santiago do Cacém, Medieval castle in Santiago do Cacém, Portugal
Castelo de Santiago do Cacém is a fortress on a hilltop with ten square towers and curved bastions that dominate the landscape. The walls enclose several smaller buildings and a chapel that show what life was like inside a medieval defensive stronghold.
Moorish forces built the first fortifications, which Portuguese troops captured in 1157. A military order took control decades later and transformed the site into an important stronghold.
The small church inside dates to the 13th century and shows how medieval communities mixed religious life with defense. Walking through its stone arches today, you can sense how the castle was both a stronghold and a spiritual center for local people.
The site is easy to reach with parking at the base and clear paths leading to the entrance. Wear comfortable shoes since the paths get steep, especially if you want to climb the towers and explore the walls.
From the middle of the 19th century until the early 1900s, the grounds served as the town cemetery. This practical solution made use of the hilltop location for a function the settlement needed.
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