The medieval castle of Terena is situated on a hilltop close to the Spanish border. The first image shows it seen from one of the main streets in the original medieval village next to the castle. It was part of a course of fortresses that also included the Castle of Elvas (see my next post) and King Denis (late 13th C) fortified the frontier to Spain by supporting the building of all these castles. In 1652 it was sacked by the Spaniards, thereafter restored but then destroyed by the earthquake in 1755 (that destroyed large parts of Lisbon as well). When we visited it was mostly an empty (although attractive) shell.
The part of the town closest to the castle is medieval and very attractive. We drove a car up to the castle, but I have to admit I was scared of hitting any of the terracotta flower pots that bordered the narrow lanes up the hill.
