{"id":3631,"date":"2020-05-06T19:09:21","date_gmt":"2020-05-06T19:09:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goobidos.com\/castelo-de-obidos\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T23:53:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T23:53:27","slug":"obidos-castle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goobidos.com\/en\/obidos-castle\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00d3bidos Castle"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

Inspiration<\/a>><\/span>Itineraries<\/a><\/p>\n

By the Go\u00d3bidos Team\u25cf<\/i>24 December 2014<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00d3bidos Castle: From the Romans to the House of the Queens<\/h1>\n
\n

From the Moorish fortress conquered in 1148 to Portugal\u2019s first state inn in a historic building: the story of the castle that crowns the village.<\/p>\n

Copy link<\/a>Facebook<\/a>Pinterest<\/a>X<\/a>Print<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\u00d3bidos
\u00d3bidos Castle above the rooftops of the village. Photo: Go\u00d3bidos<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

In this article<\/strong><\/p>\n

From the Romans to the reconquest<\/a> The House of the Queens<\/a> The Alcaides\u2019 Palace and the inn<\/a> The walls and the \u201cMoles\u201d<\/a> Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00d3bidos Castle<\/strong> is thought to have Roman origins, probably on the site of an earlier hill fort. It was fortified under Moorish rule and, after the Christian conquest in 1148, repaired and enlarged several times.<\/p>\n

In the parish of Santa Maria, in the village and municipality of \u00d3bidos, it gives the village its silhouette and is the starting point for any visit.<\/p>\n

Related: \u00d3bidos Religious Heritage<\/a><\/p>\n

From the Romans to the reconquest<\/h2>\n

In ancient times the site was inhabited by Lusitanians, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims. An archaeological site near the village confirms the Roman presence.<\/p>\n

The Muslims built a walled fortress, which was conquered by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, in 1148. After the reconquest, King Sancho I carried out works on the castle and, in 1195, granted the village its charter.<\/p>\n

\"Walls
The castle walls seen from outside the village. Photo: Go\u00d3bidos<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The House of the Queens<\/h2>\n

Later, King Dinis gave \u00d3bidos to his queen, Isabel of Aragon, as a wedding gift. From then on the village was known as the \u201cHouse of the Queens\u201d, a status that lasted until 1834.<\/p>\n

The Alcaides\u2019 Palace and the inn<\/h2>\n

In the reign of King Manuel I, the castle\u2019s governor built a palace and altered parts of the fortress. The Alcaides\u2019 Palace has beautiful Manueline windows opening onto the inner courtyard. The fireplace in the main hall and the doorway topped by the royal arms and those of the Noronha family, flanked by two armillary spheres, date from that time.<\/p>\n

The palace was badly damaged in the 1755 earthquake and, by the 20th century, lay in ruins. It was then restored to house the pousada, the first state-run inn in a historic building in Portugal.<\/p>\n

\"Fa\u00e7ade
The Alcaides\u2019 Palace, now a pousada, inside the castle. Photo: Go\u00d3bidos<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The walls and the \u201cMoles\u201d<\/h2>\n

The 1755 earthquake hit the castle hard, and in the 20th century it underwent a major restoration in which much of the walls was rebuilt.<\/p>\n

One story linked to the walls explains the old nickname of the people of \u00d3bidos, the \u201cToupeiros\u201d (Moles): it is said a network of tunnels under the walls allowed the village to be supplied during sieges.<\/p>\n

\"Battlements
The battlements of the castle walls. Photo: Go\u00d3bidos<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continue with the religious heritage of \u00d3bidos<\/a> and the village festivals<\/a>, such as the Chocolate Festival<\/a> and the \u00d3bidos Christmas Village<\/a>, both held inside the castle enclosure.<\/p>\n

\n

Guided tour<\/p>\n

\u00d3bidos: Medieval Tales & Secret Spots<\/a><\/p>\n

A local guide tells the stories of the queens, kings and legends of \u00d3bidos, inside the walls.<\/p>\n

See the tour \u00b7 from \u20ac33<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n

When was \u00d3bidos Castle conquered?<\/h3>\n

In 1148, by Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. Before that it was a walled fortress built by the Muslims.<\/p>\n

Why is \u00d3bidos called the House of the Queens?<\/h3>\n

Because King Dinis gave the village to Queen Isabel of Aragon as a wedding gift. It remained linked to the queens of Portugal until 1834.<\/p>\n

What is inside the castle today?<\/h3>\n

The old Alcaides\u2019 Palace was restored in the 20th century as a pousada, the first state-run inn in a historic building. You can walk along the walls around the village.<\/p>\n

More about \u00d3bidos<\/h2>\n