&nbps

Share Image

Classified as a National Monument, Marvão Castle is located on top of a rocky ridge (843 m high, at the top od Sapoio hills), about 13 Km from the border with Spain. Its location taking advantage of the geological and morphological characteristics makes it an extraordinary observation and surveillance spot, because from there can be seen a vast territory. In the past dominating the 2nd most important route of penetration of Spanish armies, from Valencia de Alcántara, and from there can be seen a wide area of Alto Alentejo, from Badajoz to Tagus river.

Being an important bulwark of the Portuguese defense, over the centuries has undergone several interventions from the 12^th and 13^th centuries to the 19th century.

The village of Marvão is surrounded by the 1st line of walls, and the entire urban area within the castle perimeter walls and Marvão is classified as of Public Interest.

Go through the hallway ending in Menagem tower, where you can see the birds flying over the slopes, hence the popular saying that in Marvão birds fly on its backs.

The term Marvão seems to derive from Ibn Marwan, who in the late 9th century, built a fortification against the caliph. It is also from this period the 1st reference to the village, known as Amaia Ibn Maruán (not to be confused with the ruins of the Roman Ammaia), the chronicle of al-Razi (10^th century, but with references to earlier times).