Castle of Mértola

Mértola, Portugal, Portugal

---

Castle of Mértola in Mértola, Portugal, evolved from pre-Islamic fortifications dating back to 318 B.C., transformed into a key Moorish stronghold by the 9th century under Abd al-Malik and reinforced in 1171 during Almohad rule with an elbow-shaped gate flanked by turrets.

Conquered by Christians in 1238 and rebuilt in 1292 by D. João Fernandes, the first master of the Order of Santiago in Portugal, it features Gothic trapezoidal walls, a 30-meter keep tower with ogival vaulting, square and semi-cylindrical towers like Carocha, a vaulted cistern, and dungeons adapted from Islamic elements under later kings like D. Dinis.

Adapted for artillery in the 1640 Restoration Wars and damaged over time, the ruins now form a museum showcasing Roman, Visigothic, Islamic, and medieval artifacts amid panoramic Guadiana River views.