Leiria - Castelo

High above Leiria towers its castle, built originally by Afonso Henriques in 1135 on the remains of a Moorish castle, which itself had succeeded an earlier Roman fortress. When Portugal's frontier shifted further south in 1147 the castle lost its strategic importance. Its dilapidation was halted, however, in the early 14th C. when King Dinis had it rebuilt and extended to make a palace that would serve as a residence for himself and his queen, St Isabel.

The keep (1324), from which there is a magnificent view, and part of the castle walls are well preserved. The rest of the royal castle has been restored, and from the loggia with its Gothic columns there are also good views over the town. The early Gothic church of Nossa Senhora da Pena (1314) remains a ruin.