Viana do Alentejo Castle

Viana do Alentejo Castle, locally known as Castelo de Viana do Alentejo, lies in the town of the same name in the Alentejo Central region in Portugal.

In 1313 Denis of Portugal issued a charter to the village of Viana and ordered the construction of fortifications to protect it. The accepted history is that the castle was built following this charter. Although, there are also sources that place its foundation at a later moment in time; the late 15th century or even early 16th century.

In the 1480s it was a temporary residence of the John II of Portugal. In 1490 there is mention of rebuilding works at the village's defenses, so this probably also meant the castle.

The castle's plan is an irregular pentagon, and originally it would have been surrounded by a dry moat with bridges to the 2 gates. Inside the castle walls are a 16th century whitewashed church and a smaller church and chapel.

Viana do Alentejo Castle can be visited for a fee. A castle with a curious but attractive design in a sleepy town.

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