Castle with five corners, which was very rare in the country’s fortresses, is located in Vila da Sertã. According to legend, it was founded by Quintus Sertorius in 74 BC, a Roman general exiled for political reasons.

It is known that it was part of a network of fortifications around Serra da Estrela. Recent archaeological excavations have concluded that its initial occupation could only date back to the Islamic period (10th and 11th centuries).

Having suffered several vicissitudes over time, in the 18th century, it was practically ruined, a situation that remained in the following decades. In fact, there were several requests presented by the inhabitants of Sertã in the Cortes, but without the desired success.

In 1936, through popular subscription, one of the castle’s towers was rebuilt, as well as the Chapel of São João Baptista, which is annexed to it. In 1999, the City Council carried out a project for the requalification of this entire space.

Archaeological excavations, carried out between 1996 and 1998, revealed the existence, within the castle’s perimeter, of a granary (used by the Sertã Warehouse to store cereals), an old chapel (before the current one), a sidewalk in use in the centuries XV/XVI and Arab pottery fragments.

It was within its walls that the episode related by the famous legend of Celinda took place, in which this intrepid woman expelled the Romans by throwing a frying pan (sertage) with boiling oil over them. From this episode came the name of this locality: Sertã!

Source: https://turismo.cm-serta.pt/turismopt
Image Source: