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Castle of Alter do Chão

Castelo de Alter do Chão · Alter do Chão

8 story sections

building in Alter do Chão, Portalegre District, Portugal

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation

    Welcome to Alter do Chão, a historic town located in the Upper Alentejo region, roughly 170 kilometers northeast of Lisbon. You are standing in the main square, the Praça da República, where you will find one of Portugal's most…

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  2. 2The Praça da República and the Castle Entrance

    The Praça da República is the social and architectural hub of Alter do Chão, and the castle is its most dominant feature. Standing in the square, you can appreciate the castle's role as a silent participant in the village's daily…

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  3. 3The Renaissance Fountain of 1556

    Adjacent to the castle stands one of Alter do Chão's most prized monuments: a magnificent Renaissance fountain dating back to 1556. This is one of the oldest and most beautiful fountains in the Alentejo, showcasing a refined…

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  4. 4The Castle Keep and Residential Towers

    Inside the castle walls, the focus shifts from public square to private fortress. The 'Torre de Menagem' or the Keep is the most imposing part of the structure. …

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  5. 5The Roman Roots and Abelterium

    To understand Alter do Chão, one must look deep beneath the medieval stone to its Roman foundations. Two thousand years ago, this site was the town of Abelterium. …

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  6. 6The Palácio do Álamo and Baroque Architecture

    Continuing our walk around the square, we encounter the Palácio do Álamo, a grand seventeenth-century palace that was renovated in the eighteenth century. This building serves as a perfect example of the Baroque influence in the…

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  7. 7The Heritage of the Alter Real Horse

    No visit to Alter do Chão is complete without acknowledging its most famous export: the Alter Real horse. Founded in 1748 by King John V, the Coudelaria de Alter (the Alter Stud Farm) is the oldest stallion farm in Portugal and…

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  8. 8Closing

    As our tour of Alter do Chão concludes, we hope you have enjoyed discovering the many layers of this quiet Alentejo town. From its Roman roots as Abelterium to its medieval peak as a Braganza stronghold and its royal legacy as…

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What is Castle of Alter do Chão?

Castle of Alter do Chão is a place in Alter do Chão with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationAlter do Chão
TypeHeritage
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates39.1989, -7.6586
Last updated
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