Alcoutim Castle has its origins in the reign of D. Dinis, in the 14th century, having been built to defend the border and control commerce on the Guadiana River. Its military function continued until 1878.
From 1878 onwards, the walled enclosure functioned for decades as a "açougue", a word of Arabic origin to designate a meat market.
This military building became a strategic point in the defense of the border with Castile, being celebrated here, on March 31st, 1371, the Peace Treaty of Alcoutim, between D. Fernando de Portugal and D. Henrique de Castile.
The Castle is located in the village of Alcoutim, which was reconquered from the Muslims around 1240, during the reign of D. Sancho II. However, it was D. Dinis who ordered the town to be repopulated and granted it a charter on January 9, 1304.
In the 16th century, the ogival door on the river side was opened and several buildings were built along the northern wall. In the second half of the 17th and 18th centuries, military engineers built a platform in this castle to house a battery for seven cannons aimed at the village of Sanlúcar de Guadiana (Wars of Restoration). He also played an active role in the liberal struggles of the 19th century.
In 1960, the monument underwent consolidation and restoration work.
From 1992, the City Council carried out a project to revitalize the castle, which resulted in its classification as a Property of Public Interest by Decree, and in the first archaeological surveys inside the enclosure, with the construction of of the Archeology Museum Center. It also houses the exhibition of Islamic game boards "Jogos Intemporais".
Photo credits: Município de Alcoutim
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