Palácio Ducal

Vila Viçosa became a fiefdom of the Dukes of Bragança when Fernando I of Bragança succeeded his father Afonso, 1st Duke of Bragança, and received the title of Count of Arraiolos from his grandfather, Nuno Alvares Pereira. Fernando I established his seat at the primitive Vila Viçosa Castle. However, following the 1483 execution of his son, Fernando II, 3rd Duke of Bragança, for treason by order of King John II of Portugal, the family was exiled to the Kingdom of Castile.