Castelo da Sertã, Medieval castle in Sertã, Portugal.
Castelo da Sertã is a medieval fortress with a five-sided shape, featuring walls that reflect different building phases over time. The structure includes a reconstructed tower, remains of older walls, and a chapel that was redesigned in the 17th century.
The fortress was granted by King Afonso Henriques in 1165 to a military order and served as a strategic post in the region. After about a decade, another military group took control and shaped how the site developed in later periods.
The chapel inside reflects how people here practiced faith across different time periods, with its 17th-century reconstruction visible today. Visitors can observe how the space served the residents living in the fortress and how its design shows the evolution of religious practice.
The site is accessible on foot and offers views of the surrounding landscape from the preserved walls and structures. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as accessing different areas involves walking over uneven ground.
The town of Sertã has roots in local legend about a woman named Celinda who defended the fortress using boiling oil against attackers. This story became connected to how the town itself got its name.
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