Castle of Leiria

Coordinates: 39°44′49″N 8°48′36″W / 39.747°N 8.810°W / 39.747; -8.810
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Castle of Leiria

The Castle of Leiria (

.

History

The castle of Leiria was built by

D. Dinis ordered construction of the keep (Tower of Menagem) which was completed only during the reign of D. Afonso IV. In the early 16th century D. Manuel ordered a sacristy to be built between the main chapel and the bell tower.[2][3]

Throughout the centuries the castle gradually lost its military value. It was badly damaged during the French invasion.[1] At the end of the 19th century restoration of the castle started in 1915 by the initiative of Liga dos Amigos do Castelo.[2] The restoration project was directed by Ernesto Korrodi between 1921 and 1933, and then by Baltazar de Vastro.[2]

The castle hosted important events as the meetings of the first courts called by

Queen Elizabeth; transformed into a meeting venue for the new court in the reign of D. Ferdinand I and the marriage of D. João I's son D. Afonso was celebrated in this castle as well.[1]

It has been listed as a

The castle was damaged by the 1969 earthquake.[2]

Architecture

The present configuration of the castle of Leiria was influenced by the 4 major construction periods: the 12th century's Romanesque, the 14th century's Gothic Dionysus, the early 15th century's Gothic Johannine and the restoration trends of late 19th and early 20th century.[4]

The shape of the castle is irregular polygonal with solid walls and towers.[1][4] Paços Reais (Royal Palace), the Church of Nossa Senhora da Pena, Menagem Tower, the former Collegiate space, and medieval barns are located inside the complex.[1][5] The castle has 4 floors; the lower two floors are hardly seen from outside and are intended for domestic services.[4] There is a large loggia with eight arches of twin capitals. The loggia has the panorama over the city and was used as a place for leisure and socializing.[4] The loggia is accessed through a room called Royal Hall or Noble Hall which has a total area of 130 square meters used for receptions by monarchs.[4]

Stonemasonry, brick and concrete were used in the construction.[2]

Gallery

  • Castle of Leiria
    Castle of Leiria
  • Gothic arcade (restored) of the Palace of D. João I
    Gothic arcade (restored) of the Palace of D. João I
  • Loggia
    Loggia
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Pena
    Church of Nossa Senhora da Pena
  • Bell tower
    Bell tower

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Castelo de Leiria". oGuia da Cidade (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-09-04.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Castelo de Leiria". Monumentos (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-09-04.
  3. ^ "Castelo – Passeio Matemático por Leiria". sites.ipleiria.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Castelo de Leiria". Patrimonio Cultural. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Castelo | C.M. Leiria". www.cm-leiria.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-09-05.

External links

39°44′49″N 8°48′36″W / 39.747°N 8.810°W / 39.747; -8.810