Castle of Borba: A Historic Fortress in Portugal

Visitor Information

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Country: Portugal

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

The Castle of Borba is located in the municipality of Borba, Portugal. The site was originally settled by Gallo-Celtic peoples before enduring continuous occupation through various historical phases.

During the early 13th century, the region was under Muslim control until King Alfonso II of Portugal took Borba from the Moors in 1217 as part of the Christian Reconquest. Following this victory, the king entrusted the settlement to the Order of Saint Benedict of Avis. The religious order was responsible for initiating construction of a castle at Borba to serve both as a defensive stronghold and a base for local settlement.

Borba’s location placed it in a border zone frequently contested between Portugal and the Kingdom of Castile. In 1297, the Treaty of Alcañices officially affirmed Borba’s incorporation into Portuguese territory under King Dinis. Shortly after, in 1302, King Dinis granted the settlement a Foral charter—a legal document establishing municipal privileges—and directed improvements to its fortifications. A stone plaque on the southern walls of the castle commemorates his role in overseeing the construction and reinforcement of the defenses.

Several centuries later, during the 16th century, King Manuel I of Portugal renewed Borba’s charter, reaffirming its administrative and legal status. The town’s strategic importance resurfaced during the Portuguese Restoration War in the mid-17th century, when control of border fortifications like Borba proved vital. Nearby, in 1665, the Battle of Montes Claros culminated in a decisive Portuguese victory, underscoring the region’s military significance.

From the 19th century onwards, Borba underwent urban expansion that incorporated parts of the old medieval walls into newer residential buildings. The castle’s remnants were recognized for their historical value in the mid-20th century, resulting in the official classification of the site as a Property of Public Interest in 1957.

Remains

The Castle of Borba features a quadrangular design reflecting medieval military architecture, attributed to the work of Domingos Salvador and Rodrigo Fernandes. Its thick stone masonry walls are topped with Gothic-style battlements, characterized by the distinctive upright segments known as merlons. These battlements are accompanied by a continuous walkway, known in Portuguese as an adarve, which runs along the top of the walls, allowing defenders to patrol and defend the fortress.

The main entrance to the castle is notable for being guarded by two semi-circular turrets that flank the gateway. These turrets provided strategic defensive positions and also served to protect the central keep tower, which stands as one of the principal surviving structures within the castle grounds. Originally, the fortress was further protected by a shallow moat surrounding the exterior walls, designed to hinder attackers.

Today, portions of the medieval walls remain preserved despite the urban development that has integrated some sections into surrounding buildings. Two original gates have survived: the Porta do Celeiro, which translates as the Granary Gate, and the Porta de Estremoz, each retaining their historic defensive function and design. The keep tower also endures as a prominent feature marking the site’s medieval heritage.

On the southern part of the castle, a stone epigraphic plaque remains embedded in the walls. This inscription documents King Dinis’s direct involvement in the castle’s construction and his oversight of the defensive enhancements, providing a tangible connection to the historical accounts of the fortress’s development.