Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Knights Templar. Until they moved to Tomar in 1334, the soldiers of the Order of Christ
used this castle to keep watch over the estuary of the Rio Guadiana and the border with
Spain, where the Moors were still in power.
The grand stretch of ruins today, however, dates from the 17th century, when Dom João
IV ordered the addition of vast ramparts. At the same time
Forte de São Sebastião
, a smaller
fort, was built on a nearby hilltop (closed to the public). Much of the area was destroyed
in the 1755 earthquake, but the ruins of the main fort are still amazing.
Inside the wonderfully derelict castle walls is a 14th-century church, the
Igreja de Santiago
, where Henry the Navigator, also Grand Master of the Order of Christ, is said to have
prayed. A small museum displays some pots and vases dating back to the Iron Age, dis-
covered during excavations. A fun spectacle, the
Feira Mediéval
, takes place at the castle for
four days encompassing the last weekend of August. There's a parade on the first (from
the village to the castle) and last days (from the castle to the village, emulating medieval
times). Food stalls with local products, music, fencing competitions and a medieval ban-
quet create an authentic atmosphere.
Reserva Natural do Sapal de
Castro Marim e Vila
NATURE RESERVE
Real de Santo António
( administrative office 281 510 680; Sapal de Venta Moínhos; 9am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri)
Estab-
lished in 1975, this nature reserve is Portugal's oldest, covering 20 sq km of marshland
and salt pans bordering the Rio Guadiana north of Vila Real. Important winter visitors are
greater flamingos, spoonbills and Caspian terns. In spring it's busy with white storks.
Birdwatchers should also head to
Cerro do Bufo
, 2km southwest of Castro Marim, anoth-
er rewarding area for spotting the park's birdlife.
The park's administrative office is 2km from Monte Francisco, a five-minute bus ride
north of Castro Marim; get directions from the
turismo
at Castro Marim, as there are few
signs.
Information
9.30am-1pm & 2-5.30pm Tue-Thu)
Below the
Turismo
(
281 531 232; Rua Dr José Alves Moreira;
castle in the village centre.
Getting There & Away
