Morning Ride

The Castle of Marvão (Portuguese: Castelo de Marvão) is a well-preserved medieval castle located in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Marvão, in the municipality of Marvão, Portuguese district of Portalegre. Little is known about when the first peoples settled in the area of Marvão, but Roman forces began to appear in the region, following the strategic road linking it with Cáceres Santarém and bridge over the River Sever.
During the early Middle Ages, the Swabians, Visigoths and eventually the Umayyad Arabs began to settle in the area. The construction of the castle at Marvão was attributed to 9th century Islamic knight, Ibn Marwan, who began to dwell in the castle between 876 and 877. By the beginning of the 10th century, the settlement was designated Amaia de Ibn Maruán or, alternately, the fortress of Amaia. Christian forces loyal to King D. Afonso I (1112–1185) conquered the region and town from Moorish forces sometime between 1160 and 1166.

The Apartadura Dam and Reservoir is a natural landmark located on the Reveladas Stream, serving Marvão and surrounding municipalities with water for agricultural and domestic purposes. Inaugurated in 1993, the dam is situated inside the Serra de São Mamede Nature Park, contributing to the development of typical mountain lake habitats. With a capacity of seven million cubic meters, the area of the basin is 8.5 km² and approximately 8 km long by 4 km wide. The dam and reservoir are accessible by train, car, bike, or on foot, and are a must-visit for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the region.Read more