Vidigueira Castle

Vidigueira Castle, locally known as Castelo da Vidigueira, lies in the small town of the same name in the Baixo Alentejo region in Portugal.

Allegedly, the castle was first built in the 2nd half of the 13th century by Mestre Tomé, treasurer of the cathedral of Braga during the reign of Afonso III of Portugal. Together with several other castles, it formed a defensive line against Spain, along the Guadiana River.

In the early 14th century, Vidigueira Castle reverted to the Portuguese Crown. In the 1380s it, together with other castles, was donated by John I of Portugal, to the Constable of Portugal; Nuno Álvares Pereira, as a reward for his services. Through inheritance and a marriage, the castle became a possession of the powerful House of Braganza. Its 2nd Duke; Fernando I, is credited with erecting the current remaining keep, in the 1st half of the 15th century.

Vidigueira fell to the Crown in 1483, after the Braganzas were accused of treason, their Duke beheaded, and they were banished. In 1500, however, they were pardoned and all their former possessions were returned to them.

In 1519, however, the Braganzas were forced to cede Vidigueira Castle to the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. This way Manuel I of Portugal rewarded Da Gama for his services, also making him the 1st Count of Vidigueira.

Whatever happened to the castle, from that time on, is unknown. All structures attached to the keep have disappeared. All that remains at present is the truncated keep. Next to also stands a Manueline window. This was taken from a former palace of the Counts of Vidigueira that would have stood in the neighboring village of Vila de Frades.

Vidigueira Castle can freely be visited, the gate to the top of the tower, however, is locked. Not a very interesting castle remnant.

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