Leiria Castle is a medieval castle on a rocky hill above the city of Leiria, founded in 1135 by Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, between Coimbra and Santarém and just south of where the Lis and Lena rivers meet. In the 14th and 15th centuries, kings Dinis and João I turned the fortress into a royal residence, with a palace that opens onto a Gothic loggia over the city.
The castle was restored in the early 20th century by the architect Ernesto Korrodi and the Liga dos Amigos do Castelo, and again in works completed in 2021.
What to see at Leiria Castle
- Paços Novos: the royal palace begun under King João I, a building of 33 by 21 metres with side towers, a ground-floor hall with three Gothic arches, and royal rooms on the upper floor.
- Loggia: a gallery of Gothic arches on the top floor of the palace, with a view over the city of Leiria.
- Keep: the tower rebuilt and enlarged under King Dinis, whose inscription dates it to 1324. It later served as the royal prison.
- Church of Santa Maria da Pena: the ruined church inside the walls, reformed under King Dinis and later adapted as the palace chapel.
- Cistern: one of the castle cisterns, opened to visitors and used for exhibitions after the 2021 works.
History of Leiria Castle
- 1135: Afonso Henriques orders a castle on the hill, as a defence on the southern frontier of his territory.
- 1142: after regaining Leiria, Afonso Henriques reinforces the castle and grants the town its first charter.
- 1195: King Sancho I orders the walls of the castle.
- 1324: King Dinis rebuilds and enlarges the keep.
- From 1401: King João I, who holds the wedding of his son Afonso at the castle in 1401, begins the Paços Novos.
- 1755 and early 19th century: the earthquake and then French troops during the Peninsular War damage the castle, which falls into ruin.
- Early 20th century: Ernesto Korrodi and the Liga dos Amigos do Castelo restore the castle.
- 2021: a new restoration is completed, with a cistern opened to visitors and two free lifts on the north and south sides.
Visiting Leiria Castle
- Access: two lifts, free of charge, climb the hill from the north and the south sides of the castle.
- Location: the castle rises above the historic centre of Leiria and Leiria Cathedral.
- Opening times: the Leiria Municipality publishes current opening times and prices.
Places to visit in Leiria
