The Portuguese town of Beja has repeatedly become a trophy of the world's greatest empires. Founded in the fifth century BC by Celtic tribes who lived in present-day Portugal's territory, the city came under the rule of the Roman Empire in the second century BC. That is when the first defensive fortifications, surrounded by olive groves, were built. Back then, it was named Pax Julia in honor of Julius Caesar. Beja received its present name only many centuries later when the Arab conquerors came to these lands.

After numerous battles and conquests, King Afonso III of Portugal decided to expand and restore the ancient defensive walls in the middle of the 13th century. The construction of the legendary Castle of Beja began later, in 1310. You can still see its high stone walls and a three-story donjon. The medieval Castle of Beja got strong bastions designed by the famous French engineer and military architect Nicolas de Langres during the Portuguese Restoration War in the 17th century. In the meantime, the reconstruction of the ancient castle was supervised by several architects: Joao Coutinho, Manuel Almeida Falcao, Diogo de Brito de Castanheda. Unfortunately, their work was never destined to be complete because of the devastating Napoleonic and Liberal wars that damaged the civilians and the medieval castle. The strongest earthquake in the 19th century also contributed to the castle destruction. Thus, the talented architects and restorers who worked tirelessly on the reconstruction of the landmark of Portuguese defensive architecture in 1867 deserve some credit for the current appearance of this grand structure.

Today, the Castle of Beja is not only a popular tourist attraction but also a national landmark of Portugal. The majestic pentagonal structure combines the Romanesque, Gothic, and Manueline styles. The famous 40-meter donjon is decorated with horseshoe-shaped windows and balconies protected by stone battlements. Besides, the beauty and luxury of the rich interior decoration impress even the most sophisticated connoisseurs of medieval military architecture.