Castle of Redondo

The Castle of Redondo is located in the municipality of Redondo, Portugal. Its origins trace back to the Roman era, as the fortress was constructed on the ruins of a Roman stronghold, indicating the site’s long-standing strategic importance.

The first major medieval construction began in 1250 under the directive of King Afonso III of Portugal, following the issuance of a formal charter, known as a foral, to the town of Redondo. This period marked the initial phase of establishing the settlement’s fortifications and administrative identity. In 1312, King Dinis I initiated significant rebuilding efforts, adding crucial defensive features such as the keep tower and surrounding walls with several towers. He reaffirmed the town’s charter in 1318, reinforcing its legal and political status. Throughout the late Middle Ages, the castle formed part of a broader defense system in northern Alentejo, alongside nearby strongholds like Estremoz, Monsaraz, and Portel, helping protect the region and the important city of Évora.

During the 15th century, especially in 1418, King John I granted special privileges to the Redondo castle and decreed that all travelers moving between Alandroal and Vila Viçosa should pass through Redondo, thereby encouraging commerce and increasing the town’s regional significance. By the end of the 1400s, the previously important Torre da Alcaidaria lost its strategic role, while the keep tower reached completion. Around this time, King Manuel I issued a new charter for Redondo in 1516 and included the castle in a royal donation to Vasco Coutinho, the first Count of Redondo and captain of Arzila from 1500. The castle also saw architectural updates in the Manueline style, a Portuguese late Gothic design prevalent in the early 16th century.

By the 18th century, remains of the palace belonging to the Counts of Redondo were still found near the keep tower, pointing to the noble family’s ongoing influence. In the 20th century, preservation efforts began in earnest: the Directorate-General for National Buildings and Monuments (DGEMN) initiated restoration in 1920 and undertook several conservation campaigns throughout the decades. Between 1940 and 1950, the castle’s keep tower was repurposed as an isolation center for tuberculosis patients. Further repairs took place periodically, focusing on the walls, towers, and gates, with collaboration from the local municipal council. Since 1946, the castle’s walls and keep tower have been officially recognized as a National Monument.