Castelo de Sesimbra, Medieval fortress in Sesimbra, Portugal
Castelo de Sesimbra is a medieval fortress on a hilltop with thick stone walls, defensive towers, and crenellated ramparts that rise over 230 meters above the Atlantic. The structure dominates the surrounding landscape and remains clearly visible from many vantage points along the coast.
The fortress was established in 1165 under King Afonso Henriques as a key defense against Moorish forces and remained strategically important for centuries. The 1755 earthquake caused major damage that permanently altered its appearance and structure.
The church inside the fortress displays traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles and remains an active place of worship for the local community.
The grounds are freely accessible and can be reached on foot via a paved path that climbs from the town below. Wear suitable shoes as the path is steep and the interior terrain is uneven in places.
Carved into the fortress rock are ancient grain storage holes that provided food reserves during extended sieges. These underground chambers reveal how inhabitants sustained themselves during prolonged isolation.
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