12 | Portugal River Voyage Guide
Castelo Rodrigo is a medieval fortress town
perched on a hilltop that contains the ruins of a
castle. The town was a thriving centre for
commerce in medieval times, and for centuries
the castle protected the land from the Moors
and the Spanish. Following a period of Spanish
control, the locals burned down the castle when
Portugal gained its independence in 1640, and
it was never rebuilt.
The town has an interesting history. It enjoyed
two centuries of peaceful coexistence between
the Jewish and Christian populations until the
Spanish Inquisition decimated the Jews. Many
Jews chose to become Christians to avoid
persecution but continued to practice their true
religion behind closed doors.
Surrounding the town are fields of almond
trees, and you can buy almond-based products
including liqueur. The town dominates the
surrounding landscape and there are amazing
views to enjoy all around the castle. The
population is greatly reduced, with only a few
families remaining, but walking around the
peaceful streets gives a sense of the importance
and grandeur of the town's glory days.
M ATEUS PA L AC E
A ZULE JO TILES
