Valongo Castle

Valongo Castle, locally known as Castelo de Valongo, lies west of the village of Montoito in the Alentejo Central region in Portugal.

When and by whom Valongo Castle was exactly built is unknown. A fortification in this area was first mentioned in the late 13th century, this could have been a castle or a defensive tower. In the late 14th century, the castle was built or rebuilt near or on the site of a "Castelo Velho" (Old Castle). The keep of the castle was rebuilt in the 16th century.

In the 19th century, it was acquired from the Marquesses of Valada by the present owners.

The castle has a square ground plan with rectangular towers on 3 of its corners and a rectangular, 3-story keep on its 4th. An external staircase is attached to the keep on the outside of the walls.  It is situated on an elevation surrounded by vineyards and a small reservoir west of it.

Valongo Castle is situated on private property but can freely be visited externally when the pedestrian gate to the orchard is open. When I visited, workmen were constructing platforms in and around the castle ruin to ready it for a large wedding party the next weekend. This ruined the atmosphere but did allow me to visit the castle's interior, which is normally closed off. A very nice castle ruin, far away from anything.

Gallery