Castle of Redondos

Portugal, Portugal

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The Castle of Redondos, also known as the Tower of Buarcos, is a medieval coastal ruin near Figueira da Foz in Portugal, marking one of the country's oldest documented fortifications with references dating to 1096 in a donation by Abbot Pedro to Coimbra's Sé Cathedral, signed by King Afonso Henriques.

Likely originating from pre-Roman times and reinforced in the 11th century by Count Sisenando against Norman pirates—with two towers guarding the Mondego River anchorage—it served as a key defense until eclipsed by the nearby Buarcos fortress, leading to its decline by the 18th century amid documented ruins.

Partially demolished by order in 1854 for public works, a surviving tower corner was preserved as a maritime landmark and geodesic marker by engineer Francisco Maria Pereira da Silva.