PORTUGAL A Royalty Love Story- Montemor o Velho Castle
- mcoelho813
- Oct 13, 2025
- 4 min read
Montemor o Velho Castle
Central Portugal
The Castle was important because Coimbra was the 1st Capital in early Portugal's history. The forts and castles were built along the Mondego to protect the area.
Once Lisbon became more prominent, the castles were built in Tomar and along the Tagus / Nabao rivers.
In 10th Century The Castle of Montemor-o-Velho dates back to the 10th Century. This Castle is over 1000 years old. It is the battleground of several combats.
11th Century
Inside the Castle is the Church of Santa Maria da Alcacova with images of the Lady of O. 13th Century The northern entrance of the Castle was built in the 15th Century to protect the people and their livestock.
Under Afonso Henriques and Sancho I, the structure of the fortress was reinforced because Montemor kept its geo-strategic importance after the Portuguese independence. Infantas Teresa and Mafalda ordered the house inside the castle to be renovated and transformed into a typical manor house.
The fortress was the reason for many fights throughout the following centuries. King Afonso II didn’t agree with his father’s will which gave the castle to his two sisters, Teresa and Mafalda. It was necessary for the Pope (Innocent 111) to get involved in order to settle this dispute. The Pope ordered the castle be turned over to the Order of the Templars. Additional problems occurred with the Castle. First between Sancho II and Afonso III and then between Prince Afonso and his father, King D. Dinis. Later, Prince Peter chose it as his personal palace. 14th Century The lower wall was built to create a 2nd defense against attack.
Lots of remodeling occurred throughout the years. It is so large that it was believed to be able to house 5000 men and horses during an invasion or war.
WHAT A LOVE STORY
In 1355, King Afonso IV and his counselors met to discuss the danger the marriage between Prince Peter and Inês de Castro would represent to Portuguese politics. She was the daughter of one of the most powerful noblemen of Castile and was living with the heir to the throne since his wife died in 1345, yet they were not married.
The love affair between Inês de Castro and King Pedro I of Portugal is one steeped in myth, love, and tragedy. Like Portugal’s very own tale of Romeo and Juliet – with quarreling families, banished lovers, and heartbreaking revenge – what makes this legend so enduring is that this story actually happened. Why this love affair was so forbidden? Why was our young Ines Portugal’s first and last posthumous queen?
Ines was born into a noble family and was sent to Portugal to be Lady in Waiting (maid) at the age of 14 for Constanza do Castile, who was going to marry Pedro, the prince and son of King Afonso IV of Portugal. Pedro took one look at Ines and quickly fell in love with her. They started a teenage love affair,r but Pedro still got Constanza pregnant. Trying to end the affair, Constanza made Ines the Godmother of her new baby. In the Catholic church, a Godmother becomes family, and Constanza hoped this would stop the love affair between Pedro and Ines. Ines' brothers became friends and advisors to Pedro, which made for a conflict with many people. Pedro's father was not happy with the affair and banished Ines from Portugal. Pedro still contacted her by message using a small wooden boat that went through the aqueducts.
Constanza died after the birth of her 3rd son and Pedro brought INes back to the Castle. The King sent Ines to a Monastery in Coimbra. Pedro found her and they soon had 4 children. The King ordered her death and assassins went to the Monasery and stabled her in front of one of her children. Pedro and his father had a huge fight. Two years later, the King died and Pedro became King. Supposedly, King Pedro made Ines the Queen even though she was dead. Approximately. six years later, Pedro finally managed to get his vengeance on Inês’ killers. After years of searching, he managed to capture two of the assassins. Pedro publicly executed them both by ripping their hearts out while they were still alive, one from the chest and the other from the back, mirroring how they had destroyed his. King Pedro and Queen Ines are buried in the Monastery of Alcobaca @ 1 hour north of Lisbon. The tombs are very elegant. In 1877, the clock tower was created, including a bell and a large clock.
PORTUGAL A Royalty Love Story- Montemor o Velho Castle
March 11, 2023
We enjoyed the Rice and Eel festival in the center of town. We tried lots of food, including sweet rice. Aqui Portugal tv show was there live all day. We had a great time and enjoyed lunch there too. Traditional Portuguese foods and clothing were for sale. Lots of performers sang their best songs and performed their best dances. It was a fun day overall. Parking was free. Entrance into the extra-large tent was free.
# Castles in Portugal
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