Castle of Almada, Medieval fortress in Almada, Portugal.
The Castle of Almada stands on elevated ground on the south bank of the Tagus River and features walls, bastions, and a public garden that together form a historic fortification. The structure was originally designed as a defensive fortress to control access from the south.
The site was originally built in the 12th century as an Arab fortress called Hosnel-Madan to protect the southern river area. After its destruction in 1191, the fortress was rebuilt and continued to serve as an important defensive position.
The name reflects the area's Arab past, and today visitors gather in the public garden Jardim do Castelo to watch the Tagus estuary and Lisbon's waterfront.
The interiors are limited in access due to military presence, but the surrounding gardens and outer areas can be freely explored. The elevated location offers natural vantage points and is easily reached on foot from the Tagus waterfront.
The fortification was not just a refuge but an active control center over the southern approach to Lisbon, underscoring its strategic importance to the kingdom. This role shaped Almada's development as a settlement for centuries.
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