The village of Amieira do Tejo is another lovely, well reserved medieval village close to the Tagus river. It was once an important town and a central point for travelling pilgrims, who would have travelled through the village and found here the places for rest, nutrition and guidance from the Knights Hospitaller who where among the most famous of the Chrisitan military orders during the medieval centuries.

The castle of Amieira do Tejo was build by the order in the late 14th century and though never completely completed was used mainly as a prison. The castle opens everyday accept Sunday and Monday , entrance price is 2 euro – children to the age of 14 are free of charge.

“The Castle of Amieira do Tejo is the prototypical Gothic Portuguese castle.[1][4] It is located on a relatively low hilltop, in a rectangular plan consisting of a walled courtyard with four towers located at its apexes. The prison block which is located in the largest of these towers, is located above the principal entrance to the fortress. In comparison to the isolated Romanesque cell blocks, the tower also served the defence of the castle, in an area that was most vulnerable.[1][4] The central courtyard, which is an ample space, allows the space for placement of troops and easy movement. The castle also provides two levels of complimentary defence, as indicated in 14th century documentation: a pit (which has not survived to cast), and a barbican to the rear of the fortress, that formed a secondary landing in case of siege.” (wikipedia – read more)