THE CASTLE OF LEIRIA

The Castle of Leiria has an extraordinary and strategic location on a site formerly inhabited by the Romans, where the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, built in 1135 the castle to defend the southern border of his kingdom, once Santarém and Lisboa were under the rule of the Arabs.

After re-conquering these cities in 1147, the castle lost its military significance and fell into ruin until the 14th century, when King Dinis restored it in order to live there with his wife, the Queen Saint Isabel.

Here's one more suggestion to get to know our country's wonderful architectural heritage .