The early occupation of the site has been linked to the presence of the Romans when they entered the Iberian Peninsula.

The first historical information about the area dates back to the reign of the first King of Portugal Afonso I (1112-1185), when the landlord of region donated the lands to the Bishop of Coimbra on 6 May 1168.

After the establishment of the Alcañices Treaty in 1297 with the consequent expansion of the frontiers to the west, the Belmonte Castle lost strategic importance, while the town was developing extramural.

In the midst of the 1383-1385 Portuguese succession crisis, the castle sided with Beatrice and later was conquered by King John 1 (1385-1433).

[1] Between 1940 and 1960, the Directorate General for National Buildings and Monuments made numerous conservation and restoration efforts.