Royal Palace of Salvaterra de Magos

On 2 April 1383, a marriage contract was signed in Salvaterra de Magos betrothing the ten year old Beatrice of Portugal (1373–1420) to the widowed King John I of Castile (1358–1390), which suggests that already in the Middle Ages there was a royal palace in Salvaterra de Magos.

[1][2] After his death, the palace is inherited by his son António, Prior of Crato (1531–1595), who was king of Portugal for 33 days in 1580, and it becomes part of the Portuguese royal domains and estates.

It was a favored palace, which was visited by the royal family on many occasions, primarily during the winter up to Carnival.

[1] And with the departure of the royal family to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1807, due to the French invasion, the decay of the palace started.

[1] The earl of Arcos, son and heir of the 4th Marquis of Marialva was fighting a bull on horseback when the animal wounded his horse.

The Marquis himself, then around 70 years of age, jumped from the royal cabin that he shared with the king, drew his sword and killed the animal.

After this incident, King Joseph I ordered that the horns of the bulls are severed and covered in a way that they do not present sharp points.

[8] On 8 September 2024, a new municipality museum was opened in Salvaterra de Magos dedicated to the local history and heritage.