A reconquista dos castelos da ordem de Santiago no Algarveestudo das campanhas de obras realizadas em Cacela, Tavira e Aljezur à época do Estado Novo

Abstract

In Portugal, castles are still today an important vestige capable of revealing a History of more than seven and a half centuries. Their presence in high places and plains brings us distant memories, from the times of the formation and consolidation of the Portuguese territory. For this reason, the image of their architectural profile appeared (and appears) indispensable for those who have glimpsed in it a certain representation of the national identity. With the arrival of António de Oliveira Salazar in power, in 1932, the castles and many other national monuments were understood in this fashion. The Portuguese dictatorship wanted, at all costs, to associate them with a present of identical grandeur. A part of the epic past of some of the Portuguese castles is linked to the process of the Reconquista and, consequently, to the military orders. The Order of Santiago is recognized for this role, especially in the Algarve, and in particular in the defence of the Castles of Cacela, Tavira and Aljezur that belonged to the order. As a consequence of the 1940s reconstruction works, these three castles saw their walls, towers and battlements partially consolidated and reconstructed, by the Directorate-General for National Buildings and Monuments. From this scenario, and through the analysis of the works carried out in each of these castles, the aim is to inquire how the possibility of preserving the character of these structures together with their centenary and present memories was revealed.