Castle of Belmonte

The Castle of Belmonte is a medieval castle located in the municipality of Belmonte, Castelo Branco district in Portugal.HistoryEarly historyThe early occupation of the site has been linked to the presence of the Romans when they entered the Iberian Peninsula.Medieval eraThe first historical information about the area date back to the reign of the first King of Portugal Afonso I (1112-1185), when the landlord of region donated the lands to the Bishop of Coimbra on 6 May 1168. Later, King Sancho I (1185-1211), granted a Foral charter to the village in 1199.After the establishment of the Alcañices Treaty in 1297 with the consequent expansion of the frontiers to the west, the Belmonte Castle lost strategic importance, while the town was developing extramural.In the midst of the 1383-1385 Portuguese succession crisis, the castle sided with Beatrice and later was conquered by King John 1 (1385-1433). The king helped advance the construction of the wall.17th century to modern dayIn themidst of the war of Restoration for Portuguese's independence, the castle received some modernization efforts. It was also damaged by fire in 1694.Modern eraThe building next to the castle was employed as a prison.