Description of the attraction
The Cascais Citadel was built around 1488 by King João II. The small medieval fortress was unable to repel the attack of the Spanish troops led by the Duke of Alba, who captured the village in 1580, and this military conflict led to the unification of the Portuguese and Spanish crowns. The Iberian Union was signed and Philip II of Spain was proclaimed and crowned King Philip I of Portugal. During his reign, the fortress was rebuilt to become a typical Renaissance citadel.
In 1807, during the occupation of Portugal by Napoleon's troops, the citadel of Cascais was captured by the French, led by General Junot, who remained in the village for some time. During the reign of King Louis II, from 1870 to 1908, one of the citadel buildings was the summer residence of the royal family, and the small fishing village became very popular after that. In 1878, by order of King Louis II, electricity was installed in the citadel. Thus, Cascais became the first city in the country to have electricity. The village began to expand, the roads to Lisbon and Sintra were improved, many noble families built beautiful mansions on the coast. The infrastructure improved, and a railway appeared in 1889. In 1896, King Carlos I placed the first oceanographic laboratory in the citadel and personally conducted 12 scientific expeditions.
Today, the citadel also retains its role as a summer residence for the President. A small open-air artillery museum is open to visitors in the garden.
