The early human occupation of the region dates back to prehistory; as archaeological evidence suggest, the region was visited and settled by successive centuries of Greek, Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Goth and Muslim peoples.[1]
In 1160, D. Afonso Henriques donated Vila Verde dos Francos to D. Alardo, a French Captain and group of Crusaders, in recognition for their support in conquering Lisbon, Sintra, Almada, Palmela and Alenquer.[1] Tradition suggests that D. Alardo was responsible for constructing the castle, following the Henriques issuing a Foral (charter).[1]
By the middle of the 18th century, there was already evidence that the castle was in ruins.[1]
Much of the landscape was inundated with wild blackberries, necessitating the need to clear the terrain, consolidate masonry and reposition some stones.[1]
The walls were further consolidated in 1987. At that time, researcher Jorge Peixoto, identified the compact structure as a chapel, dedicated to Sõa Luís.[1]
Architecture
The building is situated in an isolated rural area, implanted at the top of a small hill of outcrops, near the settlement, surrounded by agricultural fields and vineyards.[1]
There remains several lines of foundation walls, forming an irregular plan.[1] On the extremes are the remnants of rectangular towers with an entranceway along the lower part of the walls.[1] On the opposite extreme, is a construction that could have resulted from the curvilinear segment of the wall, now in advanced state of ruin.[1] Its general advance state of ruin makes it impossible to reconstitute its typology.[1]
Peixoto, Jorge (15 February 1987), "Vila Verde de Francos foi terra de Judeus, mouros e cruzados. Memoria viva da história votada ao abandono", Diário de Noticias (in Portuguese), p. 16
Melo, António de Oliveira; Guapo, António Rodrigues; Martins, José Eduardo (1989), O Concelho de Alenquer. Subsídios para um Roteiro de Arte e Etnografia (in Portuguese), vol. 1, Alenquer, Portugal{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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