# Castle of Alcobaça

- **Country:** Portugal
- **Coordinates:** 39.550556, -8.982222
- **Location Text:** (Alcobaça e Vestiaria, Alcobaça)

The Castle of Alcobaça is a medieval fortress situated on a seventy-meter hill overlooking the Baça river in the civil parish of Alcobaça e Vestiaria, within the Leiria district of Portugal. Originally reconstructed in 1147 by King Afonso I upon the ruins of an earlier structure, the site holds significant historical value as a defensive stronghold for the local population and the monks of the nearby Alcobaça Monastery. Throughout the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, King Sancho I ordered further rebuilding efforts to protect against Moorish attacks, while subsequent enhancements included the addition of a barbican in 1369 and the reconstruction of the keep in 1450 under Abbot D. Frei Gonçalo Ferreira.

Despite its strategic importance, the castle suffered extensive damage from natural disasters, including a major earthquake in 1422 and the catastrophic 1755 Lisbon earthquake which largely destroyed the structure. Further deterioration occurred during the nineteenth century under the reign of Queen Maria II. Historically, the fortress also served a secondary function as a prison before falling into ruin. In the mid-twentieth century, partial restoration efforts were undertaken, including the reconstruction of the wall facing the monastery between 1952 and 1953. Additional cleaning and roadwork were completed in 1956 to prepare the site for a visit by Queen Elizabeth II.

Today, only ruins of the once-mighty castle remain, standing as a testament to its turbulent past. Recognizing its cultural importance, the Portuguese government classified the site as a Property of Public Interest in 1978 through IGESPAR. While no longer a functioning military installation or residence, the remnants offer visitors a glimpse into the region's medieval history and its connection to the famous Alcobaça Monastery. The location continues to be preserved as a historical landmark within the municipality of Alcobaça.

![Photo of Castle of Alcobaça](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Ruinas%20Castelo%20Alcobaca%201.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_de_Alcobaça (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)