Castelo de Arraiolos

On the top Arraiolos' Castle - Arraiolos visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'On the top Arraiolos' Castle' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Distrito Évora.

Castelo de Arraiolos (Arraiolos Castle), also known as'Paço dos Alcaides', is an early 14th century castle built on the hill above modern Arraiolos village in Portugal. The square castle, containing a clock tower and keep, stand at the southern end of the old village walls. It was built on the orders of King D. Dinis (1279-1325). The castle has a commanding view of the surrounding plains, as shown in the image taken from the top Arraiolos' Castle.

The layout of the castle and fortifications can be seen in the satellite view of the Google map of Arraiolos. By the 14th century the village moved out of the enclosure and down the hill. Only the Igreja do Salvador church still stands within the old walls. At that time the castle was given to D. Nunos Alvares Pereira (O Condestável), who was granted the title of 'Count of Arraiolos' and used it as a base for raids against Spain.

The only building standing inside the old village fortifications is a 16th century church. The castle fell into disrepair in the 17th century and at the beginning of the 20th century Arraiolos Castle was classified a National Monument and the walls repaired.

Arraiolos Tourist Information Office
Posto de Turismo - Arraiolos
Praça Lima e Brito, nº27
7040-027 Arraiolos
Phone: +351 266 490 254
Email: geral@cm-arraiolos.pt

Car: Arraiolos is 20km north of Évora on the R114-4 and N370. It is 120km east of Lisbon on the IP7 / A6 and about 100km west of Badajoz in Spain.