Alter Pedroso Castle

Alter Pedroso Castle, locally known as Castelo de Alter Pedroso, lies in a hamlet of the same name in the Alto Alentejo region in Portugal.

The castle, situated on a rocky hill southeast of the town of Alter do Chão, probably first was a Moorish, fortified settlement, dating back to the 12th or early 13th century. The area, including this settlement, was conquered by Christian forces in 1216.

To link the castle in Alter do Chão with other castles of the Christian Alentejo defensive line, the site was donated to the Military Order of Aviz in 1249. The Order then constructed Alter Pedroso Castle. Apparently the castle was not of great strategic importance and soon fell into disrepair. Around 1300 a small chapel, dedicated to Saint Benedict, was constructed inside the castle.

In 1662, during the Portuguese Restoration War, the castle was apparently unguarded. So when the Spanish forces, under John of Austria, conquered the area, they razed the castle and left it in ruins. It was never rebuilt.

At present not much remains of the castle, but a gate, some smaller and larger wall parts with a small corner tower. The São Bento chapel is also in ruins. On the base of a former corner tower a geodesic marker was built, and the ruins are also crowned by a lookout tower for wildfires.

Alter Pedroso Castle can freely be visited. It is a curious jumble of structures, not very interesting, but there are nice views over the surrounding area.

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