Marvão

The medieval castle was mostly built after 1299, and features many characteristic features of a crusader-era castle: a tall central keep with raised entrance on the first floor; a series of lower, outlying turrets (some semi-circular); high-placed arrow-slits; open spaces to aid the sheltering and assembly of villagers and troops; a well, and huge rain-collecting cistern to supply water to both keep and the wider castle in the event of siege; bent entrances (both on the village and castle gates) to slow down invaders in the event of breached gates; a series of narrow killing zones (notably, in the triple gate on the village-side of the castle); extensive crenellated battlements and curtain walls that enhanced the natural defences provided by the escarpments of Marvão's rock.

These are the ruins of an ancient Roman city. The settlement was probably founded at the end of the first century BC. It was an important urban center due to its location and the exploitation of mineral and natural resources in the region, such as quartz and gold. It was abandoned during Arab rule. At Quinta do Deão there is a Sítio Museum where the most interesting finds in Ammaia are on display. In 2019, an amphitheater was found in Ammaia, 60 metres wide.