Castelo de Mértola
| Mértola Castle | |
|---|---|
| Castelo de Mértola | |
| Mértola, Lower Alentajo in Portugal | |
|
Mertola Castle | |
| Coordinates | 37°38′17″N 7°39′52″W / 37.63806°N 7.66444°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 930 AD - 1031 AD |
Castelo de Mértola (Castle of Mertola in English) is a castle in the town of Mértola, Portugal. It is classified as a National Monument. The castle is located on the highest point of the town. Even though the castle is of Muslim origin, the current building dates from a reconstruction carried out by the knights of the Order of Saint James of the Sword after the town was taken by the Christians. The defenses include a city wall, which still encircles the town.
History
Ibn Qasi was governor of the Taifa of Mértola it is likely that defensive works during his rule (1144-1151) were carried out to the castle.
In 1171 already under the control of the Almohad Caliphate, the castle was enlarged with a tower and in 1184 a turret at the entrance gate.
The most notable feature of the castle is its 30 m high keep tower, finished around 1292, which has an inner hall covered with Gothic vaulting.