If you’ve exhausted the list of attractions in Lisbon, you can make a few steps outside it and find more breathtaking sites. One of them is Almourol Castle. It’s located on an island on Tagus river. This river unites some of the most popular sites like the Monument of Discoveries and so on.
The name of the castle is one of its most interesting aspects. If you know at least some Portuguese or have heard it a few time, you’ll agree that Almourol doesn’t sound anything like it. The roots of this word are, unfortunately, lost in history. The reason might be the changes that were made to it. Almoriol, Almorol, Almourel . . . after a few other versions the real meaning was lost forever. There is a supposition that the name has its origins in the Arabic language and means “high rock.” This version sounds very logical as you look at the castle from a distance. It really looks like a gigantic rock.
The castle dates back to the Roman era, even before that. The excavations unearthed items, mainly coins, which used to belong to the Roman empire. The castle as built by the Knights Templar (fans of the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown will immediately recognize them).
As any other fortress on Earth, this one has also been in the center of fights and battles. It actually stands on a very favorable place from the strategic point of view. This is why the Order of Templar was entrusted such an important site. They probably never even guessed that this castle could become nothing more or less than a travel destination for tourists.
The restoration works were conducted 1940-1950. The initial construction of the castle was completed in 1171. The Templars put a lot of work, resources, and efforts in making this fortress a very powerful one. That’s the main reason why we can see the entire building today. Generally speaking, the best historic sites and architectural wonders are very well preserved. You will hardly find a ruin in Lisbon. The Portuguese definitely know how to maintain the best cultural characteristics. Fado music, which is being promoted all the time, is only one of the examples.
One of the best ways to get there is renting a boat. It’s not expensive and time consuming, costing you around 2 Euro and 5 minutes. It’s easy to travel the city by public transport, but the countryside is a bit of a challenge. This is why some alternative ways of transport come in handy.
There are two villages nearby, Vila Nova da Barquinha and Praia do Ribatejo. If you want to come out of the fortress and see the provincial life, these two places are great choices.
While I wouldn’t single this attraction out as a great spot for breathtaking photography, you can try to capture a few stone shots.
