Name of Monument:

Old Castle of Alcoutim

Location:

Alcoutim, Faro, Portugal

Date of Monument:

Hegira middle of 3rd–end of 5th / AD 9th–11th centuries

Period / Dynasty:

Umayyad of al-Andalus, Emirate and Caliphate periods

Description:

The Old Castle of Alcoutim stands on the top of a hill at an altitude of 96 metres, overlooking the River Guadiana and the border. It corresponds to a fortified village, rectangular in plan, protected by three rows of defensive walls. This group which measures 34 x 22 metres encloses an area of 700 square metres, including a central area occupied by a building of unknown function, three streets, various dwellings, a possible guardroom, a cistern and a latrine. The walls are built of coarse masonry of schist and greywackes (variety of sandstone) mortared with earth and plastered with lime, against which a number of substantial square and rectangular towers are built. Two doors gave access to the fortified enclosure. The main entrance was altered in the AH early 4th / AD mid-10th century, the right-angled access having been enlarged and a large bartizan (overhanging turret) constructed. The archaeological excavations carried out have also revealed that the buildings suffered fires and destruction in the AH 4th / AD 10th century, probably during the period prior to the establishment of caliphal power. The whole complex was abandoned at the end of AH 5th / AD 11th century, during the Taifa period. The population that lived in this castle focused its agricultural and mining activities on the surrounding region, using the River Guadiana as their main route for communication and trade.

The Old Castle at Alcoutim sits on a hill overlooking the Guadiana River. It is a rectangular settlement defended by three lines of walls and covers an area measuring 34 m by 22 m. It includes a central area with a building of unknown purpose, three streets, houses and a cistern. The walls are made of schistose brick and earth, and adjoin a number of solid square or rectangular towers. Two gateways afforded access to the fortified enclosure. The site was abandoned in the late AH 5th / AD 11th century.

How Monument was dated:

By establishing parallels with the materials found in the context of archaeological excavations.

Selected bibliography:

Catarino, H., “Algarve oriental durante a ocupação islâmica”, Al-Ulyã, 6, vol. II, 1997-1998, pp.592-597.
Torres, C., e Macias, S., O legado islâmico em Portugal, Lisbon, 1998, p.185.

Citation of this web page:

Cristina Garcia "Old Castle of Alcoutim" in Discover Islamic Art, Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;ISL;pt;Mon01;29;en

Prepared by: Cristina GarciaCristina Garcia

Cristina Garcia é arqueóloga, licenciada em Ciências Históricas pela Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa. Foi bolseira do Instituto Nacional de Investigação Científica. Trabalhou no Serviço Nacional de Parques, Reservas e Conservação da Natureza, nas áreas de ordenamento do território, trabalhos arqueológicos e recuperação de monumentos e sítios arqueológicos. Foi coordenadora do Gabinete de Defesa do Património de Cacela e de projecto integrado na “Acção Piloto Portugal-Espanha-Marrocos”. Dirigiu as escavações arqueológicas do bairro almóada de Qastalla Darrag (Cacela Velha). Trabalha presentemente no Instituto Português do Património Arquitectónico. Frequenta curso de doutoramento na Universidade de Huelva, Espanha. Autora de artigos e estudos técnicos, destacando-se, “Urbanismo islâmico em Cacela, uma intervenção inovadora na região do Algarve” (Murcia, Consejería de Turismo y Cultura, 2002).
Translation by: Gilla Evans
Translation copyedited by: Monica Allen

MWNF Working Number: PT II