Marvão Castle Alentejo

Marvão Castle

Castelo de Marvão

Marvão Castle is a picturesque castle with superb views in Marvão in the Alto Alentejo region.

The castle is on Portugal's tentative list to become a UNESCO World Heritage site in the future.

Marvão Castle, Alentejo, Portugal. — The Castle of Marvão, Alentejo region, Portugal

History

The Castelo de Marvão has its roots in a fortress constructed by the Muslim lord Ibn Marwan in the 9th century. Indeed the name of the town derives from this ruler.

The village fell to the Christians in 1166 during the "Reconquest", though it was briefly retaken by the Almohads in the 1190's.

Dom Dinis enlarged and strengthened Marvão Castle in the early 13th century as part of the border fortifications against neighboring Castile. Dom Dinis built the keep and strengthened the walls.

The castle was attacked by Spanish forces during the Restoration War (1640-1668) and again in the early 18th century.

The castle grounds include a huge cistern to provide water in times of siege. The walls of the castle are illuminated at night making for a beautiful sight.

Castelo de Marvão, Marvão, Alentejo, Portugal. — The Castelo de Marvão with its spectacular views is the main attraction

Access & Hours

R. do Castelo 7330
Marvão

Open daily 10 am to 5 pm.

Nearby

The small town of Castelo de Vide with many similarities to Marvão is just 10 km west.

Castelo de Vide boasts a 14th-century castle, the Castelo de Castelo de Vide and a 14th-century synagogue in its Judairia (Jewish Quarter) - the oldest surviving synagogue in Portugal. There's also a pelourinho (pillory) and rows of pretty white-washed houses.

Ammaia Roman Ruins

The Roman ruins of Ammaia are located 7 km south of Marvão on the road to Portalegre. The Roman town of Ammaia is believed to have been founded during the reign on the Emperor Claudius in the 1st century. Structures that still stand include parts of a Roman wall with gate and towers as well as remains of a residence, public bath, forum and temple. A small Visitor Centre/Museum offers further information on this important site that was linked by road to Emerita Augusta (present-day Mérida in Spain). Some of the pottery, glass and metal work found at the site is displayed in the Visitor Center, while other pieces have been transferred to the National Museum of Archaeology in Lisbon.

The surrounding countryside also contains several ancient megaliths. Visitors can pick up a map of all the Neolithic sites in the area from the Tourist Office.

The Marvão Municipal Museum located in the former Santa Maria church near the castle has a collection of archaeological finds from various nearby Neolithic tombs (dolmen), pottery, jewelry, various weaponry from the village's history as a fortress, a large number of religious statues and other artifacts, as well as pieces excavated from the Cidade Romana de Ammaia (see above).

Getting to Marvão

Marvão is no longer connected by railway. Marvão-Beirã Station, 9 km to the north, closed in 2011 and has now been converted into accommodation, the Train Spot Guesthouse.

The nearest train station is now in Portalegre, 20 km to the south. There are daily trains from Portalegre to Lisbon (3 hours, 30 mins) changing at Entroncamento or Abrantes - take a shuttle bus from the bus station to the Estação de Portalegre.

The superb views from the village of Marvão. — The superb views from the village of Marvão

Marvão is off the N359 from Portalegre.

Evora (1 hour, 40 minutes on the IP2), Elvas (1 hour, 20 minutes) and Estremoz (1 hour, 10 minutes) are all within easy driving distance. Lisbon is 234 km away.

Marvão has bus connections with Portalegre and Castelo de Vide.

From Portalegre there are fairly frequent buses to Sete Rios Bus Station in Lisbon. Journey times vary from 2 hours, 45 minutes to over 4 hours depending on the route and stops on the way.

There are also bus connections from Portalegre to Elvas (90 minutes), Evora (90 minutes), Castelo Branco (110 minutes) and Estremoz (50 minutes).

Marvão Castle, Portugal. — Marvão Castle and its impressive walls

Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation

Recommended places to stay in and around Marvão include the four-star Pousada de Marvão. This pousada offers a restaurant and spectacular views from its rooms.

Also recommended are the homely, holiday home Casa O Arco Alojamento Local on Rua do Terreiro, the three-star Dom Dinis Marvão hotel, the El-Rei Dom Manuel, also a three-star hotel with restaurant and the Estalagem de Marvão - Casa de Campo right in the center of the village with a regional store Mercearia de Marvão.

See here for a complete listing of hotels and guest houses in Marvão.