¬Û¤ù

Placed in a small granitic island in the middle of the Tagus River, between "Vila Nova da Barquinha" and "Praia do Ribatejo", the Almourol Castle is one of the most amusing castles in Portugal. It has 310 mtr. length, 75 mtr. width and 18 mtr. above the rocks.
History says that its construction remount to 2nd century b.c.. The castle was raised in place of a small Lusitanian village conquested by the romans during the Iberia occupation. The "Almorolan" (high rock in Arabic) fortress was conquested to the Muslims in the "D. Afonso Henriques" (1st King of Portugal) kingdom, which gave it to "Gualdim Pais", master of the Templar Order, responsible for the colonization and defense of the lands between the "Mondego" and Tagus rivers.
Between 1160 and 1171, the Almourol Castle was restored several times. It was property of the Templars Order until its extinction. It has characteristically military style. Two communicating courtyards with ten cylinder towers. In the second yard is the haughty menage tower.
Thanks to its privileged situation it became an important geographical point between the North and "Alentejo" communication with the capital.
During the 19th century it were executed several improvements which have change its natural style.
It was classified as a National Monument in 1910.

This image is a small tribute to my childhood. My Grandparents have a small farm in an also small village near by the Almourol Castle. I spend there many weekends of my chilhood. Now, and as years are passing by I remember these moments with an incredible happiness, and I try to pass these memories to my daughter which is starting to discovery these moments.

Best Regards

Fred