Palmela

The primitive human occupation of the region dates back to prehistory, particularly the Neolithic period, according to the abundant archaeological evidence. Some scholars point to the date of 310 BC, for the foundation of a village on the site of present-day Palmela, fortified at the time of the Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula, in 106, by a praetor of Lusitania, named Áulio Cornélio (or Áúlio Cornélio Palma, according to others). Modern archaeological research proves, however, that the subsequent occupation of its site was uninterrupted, initially by the Visigoths and, later, by the Muslims, the latter responsible for the primitive fortification, between the 8th and 9th centuries, greatly expanded between the 10th and 9th centuries. the XII.

The castle, at an elevation of 240 meters above sea level, has an irregular, organic polygonal plan (adapted to the terrain), with the walls reinforced by square and circular turrets.
The evolution of the defensive perimeter of Palmela can be understood by the study of these walls, arranged in three levels of fences, without ditches, separated by successive barriers:
-the inner line, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, comprises the oldest wall, supported by two cylindrical towers and the keep, in which a cistern opens. It was remodeled in the 14th century, with its structure reinforced and its height increased, crowned with crenellated battlements and inside, a stone staircase unites the various floors.
-the middle line, built in the 15th century, is made up of more robust walls where the square of arms, the Church of Santa Maria (built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the Renaissance), the Convent and Church of Santiago de Palmela are inscribed, Gothic works.
-the external line, built in the 17th century, then made up of modern bastions, ravelins and tenalhas, aiming to resist artillery fire.