The magnificent Castelo de Palmela stands as one of Portugal's most impressive medieval fortifications, commanding the eastern edge of the Serra da Arrábida hills at an elevation of 240 meters. This vast fortified complex, with its imposing walls and towers, dominates the landscape and offers visitors one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the entire Setúbal Peninsula.

From its strategic position, the castle provides breathtaking panoramic views that stretch across both the Tagus and Sado estuaries, the Arrábida Natural Park, and on clear days, all the way to Lisbon. This commanding location made it a crucial stronghold for early Portuguese dynasties, though interestingly, the castle saw relatively little combat following the Christian conquest from the Moors in the 12th century.

Today, the castle offers visitors a unique blend of historical architecture, cultural heritage, and modern luxury. Within its ancient walls, you'll find the beautiful Igreja de Santiago church, the fascinating espaços museum showcasing local archaeological findings, and a luxury pousada hotel set in the former convent buildings.

The ancient Castelo de Palmela

The castle is high above the town of Palmela

The Castelo de Palmela makes an unforgettable first impression, rising majestically from the distant lowlands and growing ever more impressive as you approach the village of Palmela. Unlike many medieval castles that disappoint upon closer inspection, this national monument becomes even more captivating when exploring its beautifully preserved interior.

Within the castle's mighty walls, visitors can explore several remarkable attractions. The highlight is the Gothic Igreja de Santiago church, featuring intricate stonework and religious artworks from the Order of Santiago period. The espaços museum houses a fascinating collection of archaeological finds that tell the story of the region's rich history, while the extensive battlements offer spectacular 360-degree panoramic views stretching from Lisbon to Setúbal and across both river estuaries.

The castle's exceptional state of preservation owes much to its continuous use throughout history, culminating in the thoughtful conversion of the old convent wing into the Pousada Castelo de Palmela. This luxury hotel seamlessly blends medieval architecture with modern comfort, making the castle not just a fascinating day trip destination for visitors to the Setúbal region, but also an extraordinary place to stay for those seeking a truly unique Portuguese experience.

The Posande hotel (white building) in the castle has amazing views over the Serra de Arrabida

The commanding position of Castelo de Palmela has made it a coveted defensive position since ancient times, with the earliest fortifications dating back to the Romans who recognized the strategic value of this elevated position overlooking both the Tagus and Sado estuaries.

The Moors significantly enhanced the fortifications during their occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, constructing much of the basic structure that visitors see today during the 8th and 9th centuries. The Islamic influence can still be seen in the castle's architecture, particularly in the horseshoe-shaped arches and the layout of the fortifications.

The Christian conquest of the castle came in 1147 by Portugal's first king, D. Afonso Henriques, as part of his campaign to push southward. However, this victory was short-lived as the powerful Almohad forces recaptured the castle. It wasn't until 1186 that King Sancho I finally secured permanent Christian control over the fortress.

The views from the battlements over the Alentejo region

One of the most significant periods in the castle's history began in 1443 when it became the headquarters of the Military Order of Santiago. This prestigious religious and military order transformed the castle from a purely military fortress into a religious-military complex. The Igreja de Santiago church was constructed during this period, and the castle's importance grew as the Order played a crucial role in Portugal's maritime expansion.

The devastating 1755 Lisbon earthquake caused significant damage to the castle's structures, including partial collapse of the church and defensive walls. Unlike many other Portuguese castles that fell into ruin, Castelo de Palmela remained important enough to warrant repairs and continued use.

The most recent chapter in the castle's history began in 1979 when part of the complex was converted into a luxury pousada hotel. This transformation helped preserve the historic structure while allowing visitors to experience the castle in a unique way. The castle's excellent state of preservation today is largely due to this continuous use and careful maintenance.

The castle walls display evidence of multiple construction periods and architectural styles, from Islamic defensive techniques to Gothic Christian modifications and later Renaissance additions. Modern visitors can clearly see these different historical layers in the varying stonework and architectural elements throughout the complex.

The view over Setubal from the castle

Castelo de Palmela is on the edge of the town of Palmela which is 9km north of Setubal, 28km from Sesimbra or 42km from Lisbon. The castle can be clearly seen from both of the expressways heading south from Lisbon. The castle is open every day and as part of the hotel complex the main gates never close and there is no entrance fee.

The Igreja de Santiago is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday) from 10:00 to 12:30 and then 14:30 to 18:00 and the entrance fee €5/3 (adult/child). Typical visits to the castle range between 1.5 hours to 2 hours and most visitors combine the trip with the pretty town of Palmela further down the hill.

The town centre of Palmela

Palmela church

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