Castles and Fortresses of Portugal

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Castelo de Sines (Sines Castle)




History
The earliest human occupation of the castle hill dates back to prehistory (Paleolithic period), later Romanized, as evidenced by archaeological findings, including the pedestal of a statue dedicated to Mars, later incorporated into its walls. Other evidence of the later Visigoth presence has also been identified here (a 7th-century Christian temple, whose remains are also incorporated into the walls), succeeded, from the 8th century onwards, by the Muslims.

During the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula, the region was conquered by King Sancho I (1185-1211) between the late 12th and early 13th centuries. His son and successor, King Afonso II (1211-1223), donated the domains of Sines to the Knights of the Order of Santiago. The fishing village received its charter from King Pedro I (1357-1367) in November 1362, separating it from Santiago do Cacém, with the stipulation that a fortification be built. This fortification never materialized, and given that this stretch of coast was traditionally plagued by corsair raids, King João I (1385-1433) exempted its inhabitants from military service in the border campaigns (1395) in order to defend the village.

The castle was finally built from scratch in 1424, at the request of the people's procurator, Francisco Neto Chainho Pão Alvo. Its chief magistrate was later Estêvão da Gama, father of the navigator Vasco da Gama, who was supposedly born here in 1469.

During the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521), the town received its new charter (July 1512), a period in which it underwent extensive modernization and expansion works, visible in the structure of the towers on the west side and in the window of the Chief Magistrate's Palace.

With the establishment of the Philippine Dynasty in the country at the end of the 16th century, threats to the Portuguese coast intensified. At the beginning of the 17th century, the southern coast of the country was surveyed by the Neapolitan military engineer and architect Alexandre Massai (1614), who proposed the rebuilding of the Sines fortification, adapting it to the new military needs, which did not materialize. At this time, a small external battery was already mentioned, covering the southern flank with an approximately star-shaped plan; the Fort of Nossa Senhora das Salvas and two forts to cooperate in the defense of Pessegueiro Island (Pessegueiro Fort) were begun.

During the Peninsular War, Napoleonic troops sacked the town, chipping away the stone coat of arms with the royal crest that topped the castle's gate.

During the Liberal Wars, after the Concession of Évora Monte (May 26, 1834), it was from Sines that D. Miguel (1828-1834) embarked for exile (July 1834).

It has been listed as a Property of Public Interest since June 24, 1933. However, the action of the public authorities was only felt in 1956, through a consolidation and partial restoration intervention, carried out by the General Directorate of National Buildings and Monuments (DGEMN). New damage was recorded, however, to its structure, caused by the 1969 earthquake.

With Sines being elevated to city status on July 12, 1997, more comprehensive work was carried out on its monument between 1998 and 2001, in a partnership between the DGEMN (Directorate-General for National Monuments and Buildings) and the Sines City Council. This involved the recovery and consolidation of the outer sections of the walls and the improvement of some areas of its interior.

More recently, the Sines City Council held a public competition for the development of a project to arrange the adjacent external spaces, aiming to enhance its surroundings. The Keep, where the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama (1469) is believed to have been born, currently houses the Sines Natural History Museum.

Investing in its tourist potential, the city and its castle (reputed as one of the best venues for open-air concerts in the south of the country) host the World Music Festival every year on the last weekend of July.

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Castelo de Penedono (Penedono Castle)




History
Human occupation of the site certainly dates back to pre-Roman times, although it is not possible to state this with certainty.

The oldest documentary sources mention this area only during the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors, regarding the repopulation of the region after the victory of Ramiro II of León's forces at the Battle of Simancas (939). The defense of this part of the territory was entrusted to Rodrigo Tedoniz, husband of Leodegúndia (sister of Mumadona Dias), with whom he had D. Flâmula (or Chamoa Rodrigues). Rodrigo would become the warden of the sovereign's castles and, in this role, is said to have ordered the rebuilding of Penedono Castle. Later, in 998 of the Hispanic Era (960 of the Christian Era), Chamoa Rodrigues, finding herself gravely ill, had herself taken to the Monastery of Guimarães, appointing her aunt Mumadona as her executor, with the responsibility of disposing of her assets for charitable purposes. Among these assets were a series of castles and their inhabitants (penellas et populaturas) on the border of Beira Alta, including this one, Penela.

During the 11th century, amidst the advances and retreats of the Christian frontiers, Penedono and its castle changed hands on several occasions. Its definitive reconquest was achieved through the actions of the Leonese king Ferdinand the Great (1064). An inventory of the assets of the Monastery of Guimarães, drawn up in 1095, lists the Castle of Penedono among other assets previously bequeathed by Dona Chamoa. With the political emancipation of Portugal, its domains became part of those of the young nation. King Sancho I (1185-1211), given the strategic location of Penedono near the border, encouraged the repopulation of these lands through a charter (1195), while simultaneously ordering the reconstruction of its defenses. His successor, King Afonso II (1211-1223), confirmed its charter in 1217. The town and its castle also received the attention of King Dinis (1279-1325), who ordered reinforcements to its defenses.

The current configuration of the castle dates back to the end of the 14th century, when King Fernando (1367-1383) included the town within the territory of Trancoso. Faced with the town council's intention to demolish Penedono Castle, the leading citizens of this town rebelled, achieving their autonomy. These lands were then donated to D. Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, lord of the Leomil estate, who had the castle rebuilt.

In the context of the 1383-1385 crisis, after the death in the spring of 1384 of the prefect of Penedono, Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, his son, Gonçalo Vasques Coutinho, succeeded him. Loyal to the party of the Master of Avis, he was entrusted, at the beginning of 1385, with the task of leading the Porto forces that conquered the Castle of Feira. Later, he distinguished himself, through merit, in the battle of Trancoso (May 1385), which earned him promotion to the rank of marshal. It is believed that the children of this warden were born in Penedono Castle, among them:

The eldest son, Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, 1st Count of Marialva, who was part of the ill-fated expedition to Tangier (1437);

Álvaro Gonçalves Coutinho, the knight nicknamed Magriço, hero of the narrative of the Twelve Peers of England, immortalized by Camões in Canto VI of Os Lusíadas.

The descendants of the Count of Marialva maintained interests in Penedono Castle, namely: D. Gonçalo Coutinho, who inherited the title of Count, and D. Fernando Coutinho, both members of the second expedition to Tangier (1464), where the former lost his life; His grandsons, D. João Coutinho, 3rd Count of Marialva, and D. Francisco Coutinho, 4th Count of Marialva by succession from his brother, who died without issue, both were members of the expedition that conquered Arzila (1471), which cost the former his life.

Under the reign of D. Manuel I (1495-1521), the town received the New Charter (1512), which attests to its importance at the time. During this period, new works were carried out on the castle, to which the influence of the 4th Count of Marialva, overseer of royal works in Beira, is believed to have contributed. His only daughter, D. Guiomar Coutinho, married the Infante D. Fernando. When the Count died without issue, and his daughter died two years later, also without issue, the Coutinho family became extinct.

The domains of Penedono and its castle are mentioned in the 17th century as being associated with the Lacerda family, who then honorifically used the title of their chief magistrates.

The castle was visited by Alexandre Herculano in 1812, who described it at the time as already in ruins.

In the 20th century, it was listed as a National Monument by Decree published on June 23, 1910.

In 1940, as part of the centenary celebrations promoted by the Portuguese Estado Novo regime, the castle underwent consolidation and restoration work on sections of the walls and towers, which were partially reconstructed, carried out by the Directorate-General of National Buildings and Monuments. Further work took place in 1943 and 1953, allowing the complex to reach the present day relatively well preserved, but still requiring interior work.

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