Top 5 Castles around Palmela

The Rio Frio Palace was built in the early 20th century, in a privileged location near Montijo, Alcochete, and the banks of the Tagus River. Once, the property, covering approximately 17,000 hectares, was considered one of the largest estates in the country, primarily producing wine. In subsequent generations, the estate was inherited by a nephew of José Maria dos Santos, Alfredo Santos Jorge, who commissioned the construction of the Rio Frio Palace. Dona Maria de Lourdes Pereira Lupi d'Orey, the current owner of the Rio Frio Palace and great-niece of Alfredo Santos Jorge, recalls the magic of life on the estate. From a large family deeply connected to the countryside and agriculture, her brother José Samuel Lupi stands out as a bullfighting figure. The house offers elegant décor, with a magnificent collection of tiles by Jorge Colaço. It offers an enchanting journey through the gardens and woods, providing a unique experience. (Source: www.solaresdeportugal.pt)

In wartime situations, it controlled the space between Lisbon and the South, between the Tagus and Sado rivers. During the Islamic period and the Christian offensive in the 12th and 13th centuries, this geostrategic position was compatible with other fortified sites—Coina, Sesimbra, and the Sado riverbank. In the surrounding area—with good conditions for grazing and a large area of agricultural land—some rural communities settled during the Islamic period, such as the village of Alto da Queimada (Serra do Louro). Inside the wall, the ruins of the Church of Santa Maria do Castelo welcome visitors: Palmela's first parish church, probably from the 12th century (founded by King Afonso Henriques?), subject to interventions mainly in the 16th and 17th centuries and severely damaged by the 1755 earthquake. The walls, the pentagonal Keep—a 16th-century construction—are part of the original structure. The castle dates back to the 14th century, where the Bishop of Évora, D. Garcia de Meneses, was imprisoned in the waterless cistern for conspiring against King John II. The bishop died there from poisoning in 1484. The parade ground and barracks are worth visiting. As it stands, the castle is the result of several construction campaigns—repairs, reconstructions, and expansions—up until the 18th century. Archaeological work has identified some sections of the wall from the Islamic period, and other construction phases are recognized, likely dating from the post-reconquest period and, later, from the reign of King John I. The bastion system that surrounds the first line of fortification was commissioned by King Pedro II. In the house of the Prior-Major of the Order, or the military commander of the fortress—after the abolition of the orders (in 1834)—the explorer of African lands, Hermenegildo Carlos de Brito Capelo, son of the fortress's governor, was born on February 4, 1841. Palmela Castle was classified as a National Monument by Decree-Law of June 16, 1910. Parking outside the walls is recommended.

The project for a modern fortification to defend this stretch of the Portuguese coast dates back to the 14th century, with the construction of the Fort of Santiago do Outão, intended to control the entrance to the river bar and access to the medieval town. Aiming to expand this defense, during the reign of D. João III (1521-1557), Brás Dias was given a regiment to be the administrator of the works of the Plaza and Castle of Setúbal (July 31, 1526). Financial difficulties, which even led to the abandonment of overseas positions in North Africa (Fortress of Azamor, Fortress of Arzila, Fortress of Alcácer-Ceguer and Fortress of Safim), may have delayed the development of these works. Dating back to the time of the Philippine dynasty, its relevance is demonstrated by the fact that the sovereign Philip I (1580-1598) himself attended in person, in 1582, the laying of the foundation stone of the new fortification, designed by the Italian architect and military engineer Filippo Terzi (1520-1597). This engineer worked on the works until mid-1594, when he signed a plan and section of the fortification (8 July 1594), which was sent to the Spanish War Council. After his death, the military engineer and architect from Cremona, Leonardo Torriani, was appointed to carry out the works, and they were completed in 1600. In the context of the restoration of independence, during the reign of King John IV (1640-1656), the Governor of Arms of Setúbal, João de Saldanha, expanded this defence by adding a low battery between 1649 and 1655. It is believed that this new structure was intended to make up for the lack of artillery in covering river access to the port. In the 18th century, the chapel inside acquired its tile covering, designed by Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes (1736). During the Pombaline consulship (1750-1777), it was not immune to the earthquake of 1755 and was used as a School of Artillerymen. In the mid-19th century, a fire destroyed the Casa do Comando, then the residence of the Governor of Arms of Setúbal.

The Fort of São Filipe de Setúbal, also referred to as the São Filipe Castle or the São Filipe Fortress, is in the city of Setúbal in the Setúbal District, of Portugal. The fort was built on the orders of Philip II of Spain (Philip I of Portugal), who personally witnessed the laying of the cornerstone of the new fortification in 1582. It stands in a dominant position on the right bank of the mouth of the Sado River, overlooking the centre of Setúbal to its east and guarding access to the river. Named after the king during the Iberian Union, the fortress was designed by Giovan Giacomo Paleari Fratino and had the Italian military engineer Filipe Terzi, who worked for the Spanish Royal Court, as its chief engineer. It was completed in 1600 under the guidance of Leonardo Torreano due to the death of Terzi.

A great place to enjoy the views over Setúbal and Troia.

This is where the Pousada Castello de Palmela is located. The house is located 230 meters above sea level in an 11th century castle high on a rock above the city and offers a fantastic 360 degree view. You can see the mountain with the castle from all directions - wonderful.

The Castle of Palmela is a private castle that has a variety of uses. It includes a hotel and restaurants for visitors. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_Palmela The architectural style is mixed, including Moorish. The view is magnificent, you can see the large 25th of April Bridge, for example.

About 1 km from Setúbal, the imposing fortress of S. Filipe guards the harbor entrance. The fortress was named after the king who had it built in 1590, King Philip I of Portugal and II of Spain. Inside the fortress there are several buildings, including the former governor's residence and a small chapel. The chapel is decorated with tiles (1736) by the artist Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes. From the top you have a wonderful view of Setúbal and the Troia peninsula. There is also a small cafe.