Citadel of Cascais

The Citadel of Cascais is a fortified complex on the bay of Cascais, built over three centuries around a defensive tower ordered by King João II in 1488. From 1870, King Luís and Queen Maria Pia turned the former Governor's houses into the Royal Palace of Cascais.

The complex includes the Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz, the Citadel itself and the Citadel Palace, and is classified as a Monument of Public Interest.

Walls of the Citadel of Cascais on the bay — The walls of the Citadel of Cascais, on the bay next to the marina.

What to see at the Citadel of Cascais

Tower of Santo António: the tower built from 1488 under King João II to defend the town and the bay, the oldest part of the complex.
Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz: the bastioned fort built around the tower before 1580, when the dynastic crisis raised the threat of invasion.
Citadel: the larger fortification built after the restoration of independence in 1640, organised around a central courtyard with a large cistern underneath.
Citadel Palace: the former Governor's houses, adapted from 1870 as a royal summer residence and later used by the Presidency of the Republic.
Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Vitória: the chapel of the Citadel.

History of the Citadel of Cascais

1488: King João II orders a defensive tower for the town and bay of Cascais.
Before 1580: the tower is surrounded by bastions and becomes the Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz.
After 1640: King João IV orders the Citadel, which absorbs the older fortress.
1870: King Luís and Queen Maria Pia install the Royal Palace of Cascais in the former Governor's houses, and the royal family spends part of each year there.
1977: the Citadel, the Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz and the tower are classified as a protected monument.

Visiting the Citadel of Cascais

Location: the Citadel stands on Avenida D. Carlos I, between the historic centre of Cascais and the Marina de Cascais.
Inside the walls: part of the Citadel is a hotel, and the courtyards hold shops and galleries open to the public.