Pirescoxe Castle

Pirescoxe Castle, locally known as Castelo de Pirescoxe, lies in a town of the same name in the Grande Lisboa region in Portugal.

Pirescoxe Castle started out as a simple family farm when, in the mid-15th century, it was restyled as a castellated mansion, by Nuno Vasques de Castelo Branco and his wife Joana Juzarte. It remained in the possession of the Castelo Brancos until 1675, when the last male heir died. After that, the castle fell into disrepair and slowly became a ruin.

The castle has a rectangular plan. Externally it may appear to be a defendable military structure, but its interior was clearly intended for civil use. Also, its walls are too thin to withstand a serious attack.

Legend has it that there were cellars beneath the castle where the treasure of Sebastian, King of Portugal, was hidden. He disappeared in 1578 during the Battle of Alcácer Quibir, which he fought in Morocco against the Saadi Sultanate. He was presumably killed in action, but his body was never recovered. Apparently, a member of the Castelo Branco family took part in that battle.

In 2001 the castle ruin was archaeologically excavated and then restored by the local council. It is now used to house small cultural events.

Pirescoxe Castle can be visited during cultural events. I don't know if it is also open for regular visits. A nice ruin in a small municipal park.

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