Could Monchique be hiding a lost medieval fortress?

Archaeologists have begun the first-ever excavation of the Castelo da Nave hilltop site in Monchique, hoping to determine whether it could be the long-lost Islamic fortress of Munchite, mentioned during the Christian conquest of Silves in 1189.

The excavation, promoted by Monchique Municipal Council, will continue until July 31 and aims to uncover the layout of the medieval fortification while assessing the archaeological potential of the site.

Located around two kilometres southwest of Pedreira da Nave, the archaeological site was first identified in the 1940s and was initially believed to contain Roman remains.

However, archaeological surveys carried out in 2002 and 2005 challenged that theory, indicating that the site was instead occupied mainly during the 11th and 12th centuries, when the Algarve formed part of Islamic al-Andalus.

A forgotten fortress?

According to the municipality, the site consists of a rural Islamic settlement centred around a small hilltop fortification.

Archaeologists now hope to establish whether it could correspond to the castellum of Munchite – a small fortified stronghold recorded in historical accounts following the conquest of Silves by Christian forces led by King Sancho I in 1189.

If confirmed, the discovery would help historians better understand the network of defensive settlements that existed across the western Algarve during the final decades of Islamic rule.

Opening the site to the public

The excavation is expected to provide new insights into Monchique’s medieval past and expand knowledge of the municipality’s archaeological heritage, the council says in a statement.

To allow the public to follow the work, the council also plans to organise an Open Day, with the date to be announced, giving visitors the opportunity to tour the excavation and learn more about the discoveries being made.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.