Torres Novas Castle

Torres Novas Castle, locally known as Castelo de Torres Novas, lies on a hill in the town of the same name in the Médio Tejo region in Portugal.

Exactly when Torres Novas Castle was built is unknown. Its architectural design points to a construction in the 12th century. In that century, there was a Muslim settlement here, called "Turris" in Christian documents, that changed hands a couple of times between Christian and Muslim forces, until 1148 when it definitively fell into Christian hands.

The settlement was first called "Torres Novas" (New Towers) in 1179, to distinguish it from a namesake near Lisbon, which became known as "Torres Vedras" (Old Towers).

In 1184 the town's fortifications were destroyed during a siege by Almohad forces. Sancho I of Portugal then started to build or rebuild the castle. In 1190, when possibly the castle was still under construction, the town was attacked again by the Almohads. It was taken after it fell following a 10-day siege, but was probably retaken by the Portuguese several months later.

After the wars with Castile, Ferdinand I of Portugal, ordered the reconstruction of Torres Novas Castle and strengthening of the town's fortifications, which took place between 1374 and 1376. It also became a part of the Tagus Line; a defensive line, formed by multiple castles along the river, amongst which the castles of Almourol, Abrantes, Belver and Tomar.

In 1384, during the Portuguese interregnum, the Castilian forces occupied the castle, after returning from an unsuccessful siege of Lisbon. They were driven out the next year by the forces of John I of Portugal.

During the next centuries, Torres Novas Castle lost its importance. It was severely damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and subsequently abandoned. From 1835 on, the ruined castle came to be used as a municipal graveyard, a use which lasted until 1938. Until 1961 it was also home to the district jail.

The castle has a roughly circular plan with numerous rectangular towers. It appears to have had no keep. From the interior of the castle there is a partly subterranean stairway leading to a postern.

Torres Novas Castle can freely be visited during opening hours. The interior of the castle is now a pleasant municipal park. A very nice castle.

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