Marvão is a historic town located at the top of a granite hill overlooking the surrounding area. It is a natural defensive site, as evidenced by the silhouette of a castle that dates back to the Moorish times.
The first people on the hill lived in prehistoric times. At the turn of history, the Romans established their fort here. Archaeological finds from these periods can be seen at the Marvão Municipal Museum, located in the former Church of St. Maria.
The defensive importance of the hill was also appreciated by the Moors who built the Marvão Castle, now the most important attraction of the city. After the Reconquest, it was expanded and strengthened many times. The castle is included in the city fortifications which surround the entire historic center.
While visiting Marvão, you can admire beautiful views of the surrounding area on the one hand, and interesting monuments on the other. They include, among others the Church of Sao Tiago and the Monastery of Nossa Senhora da Estrela. The buildings in Marvão are mainly low, whitewashed houses with tiled roofs, standing in narrow cobbled streets.
