Castle of Viana Do Alentejo - Architecture

Architecture

The castle is implanted on short rise, in the north flanks of the Serra de Viana, isolated on the periphery of the village of Viana do Alentejo. Within its walls are the parochial church aligned to the south wall, and the Church of the Misericórdia along its northwest wall, while the ancient cross of Viana do Alentejo is located approximately at its center.

The plan is an irregular pentagonal, with its base in the south and pointing to the north, consisting of five walls divided by five cylinderal towers at each vertex. The battlements cover the walls of the structure, of exposed brick alternating with openings and slits for protection. The location of the two churches means that these buildings front their respective walls.

Within these limit were constructed the Manueline-era parochial church (1521), attributed to Diogo de Arruda, an important mastercraftsman in the comarca of the Alentejo at the time. Opposite to this building is the Church of the Misericórdia, also attributed to Arruda around the same time. It served as the municipal offices until the end of the 17th century.

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