One of the greatest pleasures of Serpa is simply strolling around the ancient meandering streets of the old town contained within medieval walls and absorbing its sleepy atmosphere. In the late 13th century, soon after the border with Castile had finally been established, Serpa was awarded its first charter and took on the role of a frontier town. It was throughout this period, during the reign of King Dinis, that the Castle was strengthened and the perimeter ramparts were built. Originally these formidable walls contained five entry gates, of which only two now remain, the Moura and Beja Gates.

Palácio dos Condes de Ficalho

The Palace of the Counts of Ficalho is unusually built into the town walls. The palace was built by order D. Francisco de Melo, Captain-General of Serpa in the late sixteenth century. The Melo family for several generations held the post of Captain-General who lived within the castle's domestic quarters, of which there are still traces. The palace building is a classic example of Mannerist civil architecture. Inside the palace is divided into large rooms, interspersed with galleries. The ground floor, intended mainly for service areas, features a wide staircase that leads to the main floor.
Shortly after its construction, the palace was fitted with its own water system which includes an aqueduct running along the defensive wall and a wheel pump that kept the cisterns full. The property still belongs to the Melo, Counts and Marquises Ficalho who have overseen various stages of restoration over the years, yet much more is yet to be completed. In April 2007 it was classified as a national monument helping to secure its future. The Palácio dos Condes de Ficalho opened to the public in the summer of 2021.
Largo dos Condes de Ficalho, 7830-451, Serpa, Portugal | 37° 56' 40.7" N | 07° 35' 55.6" W

Praça da República

This small square is the heart of Serpa, albeit feeling very sleepy, there are a couple of eateries here and the town hall dominates one side (Câmara Municipal de Serpa).
37° 56' 36.5" N | 07° 35' 50.5" W

Igreja de Santa Maria

It's believed the circular base on which the quadrangular bell tower sits are remnants of a minaret from a mosque that once stood on this spot. The church is a 14th-century construction of Gothic and Mannerist style, located in Largo dos Santos Próculo e Hilarião. The attractive Mannerist door is set off by two columns capped by statues of the saints Peter and Paul. Its façade is topped by a large curved broken pediment. The interior is formed of three naves separated by arches. The altarpiece is an intricate wood carving of seventeenth-century azulejo tiles. This was the pantheon of the Mello family and is the resting place of Guiomar de Melo, who was maid of honour to Emperor Carlos V and nursemaid to Filipe II.

Clock Tower

The impressive gothic clock tower opposite the church dates from 1440, making it one of the oldest in Portugal. It's a quadrangular construction topped with battlements and a bell tower.
37° 56' 38.8" N | 07° 35' 52.3" W.

Further up the hill from the Igreja de Santa Maria stands the remains of Serpa castle. The entrance is via a narrow passageway, which is topped by a precariously looking, yet perfectly safe, dislodged piece of wall. It lays there as a reminder of the Castle's turbulent history. The structure that remains here dates from the 13th century that was built over a Moorish castle. However, the first defensive structure that stood here belonged to the Celts in the 4th century. From this vantage point, you can enjoy magnificent vistas over the town and the flat plains beyond. The castle was seriously damaged in 1707, during the Spanish War of Succession, Serpa was besieged for the final time by Spanish troops led by the Duke of Ossuna.

Castle Museum

Within the keep, there's a small yet fascinating archaeological museum or "Museu Municipal de Arqueologia de Castelo" with has exhibits artefacts from previous inhabitants of the area including Paleolithic, Neolithic, Roman and Moorish artefacts.

Mondays: CLOSED, Tuesdays – Sundays: 09h30 – 12h30/14h30 – 17h30
Largo de São Francisco, 7830 Serpa, Portugal. | 37° 56' 46.9" N | 07° 35' 30.6" W | +351 284 543 487

Take a ten-minute walk outside the town walls, northeast along the Estrada de São Francisco you'll happen across the whitewashed walls of the convent church of Santo António. Originating from the 15th century it's since had successive add-ons including a small cloister and flamboyant 18th-century azulejo glazed tile panels depicting the life of St Francis. Architecturally the convent is a mishmash of styles including Gothic, Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque.

Monday - Friday: 09h00 – 17h00, Weekends: 09h00 – 13h00/14h00 – 17h00
Largo de São Francisco, 7830 Serpa, Portugal.
37° 56' 46.9" N | 07° 35' 30.6" W | +351 284 543 487