Top 15 Castles in Setúbal

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.

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 name Alcácer do Sal comes from the combination of "Alcácer", from the Arabic al-Qasr (meaning castle or palace), and "do Sal", referring to the importance of salt mining in the region since Roman times, when the city was known as Salacia.

Alcácer do Sal is the seat of the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, the second largest municipality in Portugal, with an area of 1,499.87 km² but only 11,112 inhabitants (2021), and is subdivided into four parishes. The municipality is bordered to the north by the municipalities of Palmela, Vendas Novas, and Montemor-o-Novo, to the east by Viana do Alentejo and Alvito, to the southeast by Ferreira do Alentejo, to the south and west by Grândola, and to the northwest, across the Sado Estuary, by Setúbal. The Sado riverside area is a very pleasant place for a walk or bike ride. Here you can also see the immense rice fields.👍🥾

During the summer months, it's possible to visit the island. Unfortunately, access to the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Queimada is not possible. There's a sign in front of the fortress stating its opening hours.

A beautiful and well-preserved church here in the Castelo

very impressive and very interesting

The Fort of Santo Alberto do Pessegueiro, also known as the Fort of Pessegueiro Island or the Fort of Ilha de Fora, is located on the Alentejo coast, on the island of Pessegueiro, in the parish of Porto Covo, municipality of Sines, district of Setúbal, in Portugal. It crossed fires, on the mainland, with another maritime fort: the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Queimada do Pessegueiro, also known as the Fort of Praia do Pessegueiro or the Fort of Ilha de Dentro, in a dominant position over Pessegueiro beach. Both were part of a larger project to defend the Costa Vicentina, which included an artificial port sheltered by a stone breakwater that would connect the island of Pessegueiro to the bordering islet of Penedo do Cavalo and this islet to the mainland. They are currently located in the area of the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park.