Best castles around Horta Das Figueiras are found within the broader municipality of Évora, Portugal. Horta Das Figueiras is a civil parish known for its location within the historical Alentejo region. The area features a landscape of agricultural fields and cork oak trees. While traditional castles are not directly within the parish, the nearby city of Évora offers several historical sites with fortified architecture.
Last updated: July 17, 2026
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Access to a group of houses belonging to the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation. It can be visited.👍🇵🇹
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The Royal Palace of Évora (Portuguese: Pa'o Real de Évora), also known as the Royal Palace of São Francisco (Pao Real de S'o Francisco) and the Palace of King Manuel I (Palácio de D. Manuel), is a former royal residence of the kings of Portugal. The Royal Palace of Évora has its origins in the Convent and College of São Francisco, built before the reign of King Afonso IV. The convent's first royal function was in 1336. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace_of_%C3%89vora
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This five-cornered tower is part of the Palácio dos Duques de Cadaval and was incorporated into the complex with its fire side facing Conde Vila Flor Beach. It was part of the old city walls of Évora.
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The original palace was built in the 14th century next to the Tower of Évora, where Martim Afonso de Mello, a servant of the Royal Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz and a descendant of the Portuguese crown, ordered its construction. The palace was partially built on the Roman-Visigothic walls of the old castle of Évora, and traces of both remain in its buildings. At the rear of the palace, you can admire the extraordinary Torre das Cinco Quinas, the famous pentagonal tower that gave it its name. In addition to the large outdoor gardens and the numerous rooms and halls that make up the complex, it also houses the Casa Cadaval exhibition rooms, which house a collection of illuminated codices, sculptures, paintings, and armories with pieces from the 15th and 18th centuries. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_the_Dukes_of_Cadaval
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Located in the historic center of Évora, the Pateo de Sao Miguel (Páteo de Sao Miguel) possesses great symbolic significance, a site marked by successive military occupations over the centuries and serving as a setting for notable events in the history of the city and the country. ...The area enjoys the status of a noble and palatial zone. Its architectural ensemble includes the Sao Miguel Palace, the Ermida de Sao Miguel, the Carriage Collection, and the Eugénio de Almeida Archive and Library... https://www.cm-evora.pt/locais/pateo-de-sao-miguel/ This impressive complex has been beautifully restored and is definitely worth a visit.
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Visiting the Cadaval Palace is to feel up close what is also the history of Portugal. The ancestral home and the property of the Dukes of Cadaval family, since its foundation in the 14th century until today, the Palace was built on the ruins of a Moorish Castle in the heart of Évora, and has been able to extend itself over time in all its essence through careful intervention programs. Located in front of the Roman Temple, the Palace is a singular example of the country’s architectural heritage, resulting from a unique combination of Mudéjar, Gothic and Manueline styles. The building’s body includes a vast multi-storey residential area, two interior gardens and a church that is the final resting place for every generation of the Dukes of Cadaval family. The church is, moreover, a national reference given its stunning interior, where azulejo tile panels signed and dated from the beginning of the 18th century prevail. Martim Afonso de Melo, noble servant of the Grand Master of the Order of Aviz and descendant of the Portuguese royal family, commissioned the building, then designated the Palace of the Tower of the Five Shields. The Palace served as the temporary residence of the monarchs Dom João II, Dom João IV and Dom João V. The Palace was also used to imprison the Duke Dom Fernando II of Braganza, accused of conspiring against King Dom João II and subsequently beheaded in the Praça do Giraldo, in Évora, in 1483. Today the Palace remains the residence of the Dukes of Cadaval, although the church and some of the rooms are open to the public throughout the year, exhibiting a collection of historical and contemporary pieces from the family: books, charters, armoury, painting, sculpture, furniture, porcelain, portraits and travel accessories, among other objects of value and major historical interest. At the same time, the Palace temporarily hosts several international cultural and artistic exhibitions.
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Visiting Cadaval Palace is to experience up close the history of Portugal. The cradle and property of the Dukes of Cadaval family, from its founding in the 14th century to the present day, the Palace arose on the ruins of a Moorish castle in the heart of Évora, and has managed to preserve its essence through careful renovation programs. Located opposite the Roman Temple, the Palace is a unique example of the country's architectural heritage, resulting from the fusion of Mudejar, Gothic, and Manueline styles. The building's main building includes a vast multi-story residential area, two interior gardens, and a church that also serves as a pantheon for all generations of the Dukes of Cadaval family. The church is also a national landmark for its grand interiors, dominated by tile panels signed and dated to the early 18th century. Martim Afonso de Melo, a noble servant of the Master of Aviz and a descendant of the Portuguese royal family, commissioned the construction of the building, then known as the Palácio da Torre das Cinco Quinas (Palace of the Tower of the Five Quinas), which served as the temporary residence of the monarchs Dom João II, Dom João IV, and Dom João V. It was also in this palace that Dom Fernando II, Duke of Braganza, was imprisoned, accused of conspiracy against King Dom João II and later beheaded in Praça do Giraldo, Évora, in 1483. Today, the palace remains the residence of the Dukes of Cadaval, although the church and parts of the rooms are open to the public year-round, displaying a collection of the family's historical and contemporary pieces—books, charters, armory, paintings, sculptures, furniture, porcelain, portraits, and travel accessories, among others—while also hosting and temporarily hosting various international cultural and artistic exhibitions.
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Giraldo Castle, or Geraldo Castle, is located in Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, in the current parish of Nossa Senhora da Tourega and Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, in the Municipality of Évora, District of Évora, in Portugal. It is a castro, a proto-historic fortified structure with origins in the Bronze Age or even the Chalcolithic, but with traces of later occupations. It has a subcircular plan and an outer perimeter of 114 meters. The wall that has survived to the present day probably belonged to a period of medieval occupation. Sources from the 15th century refer to the fortification, associating it with the presence of Geraldo Sem Pavor, a warrior who conquered Évora from the Muslims in 1165. It is currently in the process of being classified.
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While Horta Das Figueiras itself is a civil parish, the primary historical sites and fortified structures are found within the nearby city of Évora. These include the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, the Royal Palace of Évora (Palace of King Manuel), and Páteo de São Miguel.
The architecture in Évora is rich and varied, reflecting centuries of history. For example, the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval showcases a blend of Mudéjar, Gothic, and Manueline styles, built on the ruins of a Moorish castle. Páteo de São Miguel also features Manueline architecture.
Yes, several sites are considered family-friendly. The Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, the Royal Palace of Évora (Palace of King Manuel), and Páteo de São Miguel are all categorized as family-friendly. Páteo de São Miguel even has a café and a Carriage Museum that might appeal to younger visitors.
Yes, Páteo de São Miguel offers panoramic views from its complex. Additionally, the Torre da Giesteira, a 17th-century fortified house in the broader Évora region, is situated on a small hill providing expansive views over agricultural fields and cork oak landscapes.
The Torre da Giesteira (Broom Tower) is a 17th-century 'Casa Forte Alentejana,' a fortified house or villa in the broader Évora region. It blends defensive architecture with noble residential design. While not a traditional castle, it offers a unique glimpse into the region's historical architectural styles. Currently, it is available as a rental property, offering visitors a chance to stay in a historic fortified residence and enjoy activities like ethnobotanical tours and birdwatching.
Yes, Giraldo Castle is an archaeological site with origins dating back to the Bronze Age or even the Chalcolithic period, with continuous occupation since 3000 B.C. It was founded on a fortified proto-historic structure and was re-occupied and reconstructed during the Middle Ages.
The region around Horta Das Figueiras and Évora offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking routes, including easy options like the 'Giraldo Square – Roman Temple of Évora loop'. There are also many cycling routes, such as the 'Graça do Divor Former Railway Station – Giraldo Square loop'.
Yes, Páteo de São Miguel has a café within its complex. The city of Évora, where most of these sites are located, also offers a variety of cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
The Tower of the Five Corners is a distinctive pentagonal tower that was originally part of the old city walls of Évora. It was later incorporated into the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, adding to its unique architectural heritage.
The Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval is a must-see because it's a living piece of Portuguese history, continuously owned by the same family since the 14th century. Built on Moorish castle ruins, it features a unique blend of Mudéjar, Gothic, and Manueline styles. Visitors can explore its residential areas, gardens, a church that serves as a family pantheon, and a collection of historical artifacts.
The Alentejo region, including Évora, experiences hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) generally offer the most pleasant weather for exploring, with comfortable temperatures for walking and sightseeing. Visiting during these shoulder seasons allows you to avoid the peak summer heat and larger crowds.


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