Castle of Mértola

Parish of Mértola

Background

Occupied since prehistoric times, this region was an important trading post frequented by Phoenicians and Carthaginians, thanks to the existence of river and land routes connecting it to the south of the Peninsula. In the face of the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, this commercial importance was maintained. The first historical reference to this town is found in the Chronicle of the Suebi, by Bishop Hydatius, narrating an episode dated 440, from which it can be inferred the existence of a fortification on the site, then called Myrtilis Julia.

Occupied successively by Suebi and Visigoths, from the 8th century onwards it came under Muslim domination, responsible for remodelling the defences of this prosperous town. References to this new defensive structure appear at the end of the 9th century, and it is certain that between 930 and 1031, the castle was consolidated, becoming one of the most solid in the region. With the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba (1031), Mértola became an independent kingdom - the Taifa of Mértola -, quickly retaken by Al-Mu'tamid, from the Taifa of Seville. A century later, between 1144 and 1151, it became independent again (2nd Taifa of Mértola), and it is likely that new defensive structures were built during the reign of Ibn Kassi (1144-1151). It is certain that in 1171, already under the rule of the Almohad Caliphate, the fortification was expanded with a tower and, in 1184, with the Turret that forms part of the entrance gate.

The medieval castle

During the Christian À época da Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the forces of Sancho II of Portugal (1223-1248) advanced southwards, following both banks of the Guadiana River, and conquered Mértola (on the right bank) and Ayamonte (on the left) (1238). The first was donated to the Order of Santiago, in the person of its Grand Master, D.Paio Peres Correia (1239). The Order, which was already responsible for defending other places in the south of the country (Alcácer do Sal, Aljustrel, and others), made Mértola its headquarters (Chapter) in Portugal, later transferred to the Castle of Palmela. In 1254 the town received a Charter, elevating it to the status of a town. The construction of the keep dates from this period, the works of which were completed in 1292 under the direction of master João Fernandes. This tower, as well as the citadel, were the residence of the mayor until the 16th century, when the structure was gradually abandoned.

During the reign of King Dinis (1279-1325), the original defense was rebuilt, beginning the construction of the town wall, works continued by his successors, King Afonso IV (1325-1357), King Pedro I (1357-1367) and King Fernando (1367-1383).

During the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521), the town and its castle are depicted by Duarte de Armas (Book of Fortresses, c. 1509). The town received the New Charter from the sovereign in 1512, when its defense underwent further improvements.

From the 16th to the 19th century: abandonment and decay

Despite the importance of its strategic position in the south of Portugal, the town of Mértola and its castle lost importance after the Portuguese Discoveries. The decline it experienced from then on was reflected in the preservation of its walls, so much so that by 1758 it was in ruins and did not even have a military garrison.

Revitalization

Between the 19th and 20th centuries, Mértola's economy depended on the exploitation of the São Domingos mines, a major center for the extraction of copper pyrite. In the mid-20th century, the ruins of the old castle were classified as a National Monument and repair work was carried out. Due to the implementation of a revitalization project, Mértola is currently considered a museum town with different areas of intervention and research, organized into three sections, on display in the castle's keep: the Roman Section, the Visigothic Section, which includes a Christian basilica, and the Islamic Section, where you can see one of the best Portuguese collections of Islamic art (ceramics, numismatics and jewelry).

Architecture

From the medieval defensive perimeter, with an area of approximately 2,000 m², in the Romanesque and Gothic styles, the following survive:

• - sections of the external walls that surrounded the town, extending to the river, reinforced by Turrets (external perimeter);
• - the castle (internal perimeter), with two towers, the main one being the keep.

A semi-cylindrical Turret defends and integrates the entrance portal of the castle. Through it, passing through an arch, one gains access to a curved corridor that communicates with the parade ground. In the center of this, there is a cistern, covered by Barrel vault.

The keep, with a quadrangular plan, has a solid base and stands about thirty meters high, crowned by battlements. Access to its interior is through a pointed arch door, to a large and high room, covered by an ogival cross vault. Currently, this room preserves a valuable collection of carved stones from the Roman, Visigothic, Islamic and Portuguese periods up to the 18th century.