The earliest dolmens in southern Portugal date from c. 4800 BCE, and this culture lasted into the Bronze Age (2000 BCE) and beyond into the Iron Age. In and around Marvão, there exists a high concentration of dolmens, rock-hewn tombs, passage mounds and megaliths, dated to the 3rd millennium BCE. Together with the Sever-valley sites around the […]
. The castle is part of the Natural Park Serra de São Mamede, on the northern slope of the mountain, in a dominant position over the village and on the strategic line of streak, controlling in the past the crossing of the river Sever, a Tagus River affluent. This fact assured it the attention of […]
Perched on a granite crag of the Serra de São Mamede, Marvão’s name is derived from an 8th-century Muladi duke, named Ibn Marwan. Ibn Marwan used the fortress as a power base when establishing an independent statelet (“emirate”, duchy) covering much of modern day Portugal during the Emirate of Cordoba (884-931 CE). The castle and walled village were further fortified through the […]
The current building was erected in 1517 to replace an earlier Gothic church. The author of the project in the Manueline style was probably Francisco de Arruda. The opening to the worship was held in 1537, with the work unfinished. The Manueline period date the general structure of the temple, fortified church of three naves […]
