Monuments

King Dinis ordered the building of this imposing defensive structure made of sturdy walls stretching up to the imposing turrets. However, given its strategic location on the Roman road connecting Beja with the south of Hispania, in addition to its geographical features, the site must have been home to fortifications since Roman times, with the defensive structures strengthened during Moorish times. Of the 5 primitive doors providing access to the town within, and now classified as National Heritage, only the Beja, flanked by heavy circular towers contrasting with the grace of the aqueduct´s arches, the Moura and the Nova have survived.

Throughout the centuries, this fortification has played an important role in establishing the sense of Portuguese independence. In the 14th century, the town backed João, Master of Avis, the future king João I, against João of Castela, pretender to the throne of Portugal, through his marriage to Beatriz, the only daughter of the late king of Portugal, Fernando. In 1580, Serpa acclaimed João IV king of Portugal immediately after the restoration of independence following the 60-year annexation of the kingdom by the Spanish crown. In the 18th century, during the Spanish War of Succession, Serpa was besieged for the final time by the Duke of Ossuna and his troops. A large gunpowder explosion severely damaged the prison tower and sections of the wall that have since been reconstructed.