To this end, Afonso Henriques (1112-1185) has delegated to the Order of the Knights Templar for the task of strengthening access to south and east of the river Mondego.

1166 is traditionally claimed as the start year of the construction of the castle, although the inscription on the Donjon has quite deteriorated.

During this time, the Order of Avis moved their efforts more south to Beira Baiza, having received the domains of Idanha-a-Velha and Monsanto.

Under the reign of King Afonso III (1248-1279), the village is referred to the inquiries of 1258, and received a new Foral Charter in 1272.

The castle and the village were recorded in the iconography of Duarte de Armas (Book of Fortresses, c. 1509) as having extensive walls.

[1][2] The Portuguese national government intervened between 1977 and 1978 by initiating works of reconstruction and reparation of the walls and the Keep.

The castle and its neighboring village was built in Romanesque style, its walls reinforced by four turrets.