Dimensões da castelologia portuguesa no Norte de África entre Quatrocentos e meados de Quinhentos

Abstract

The main theme of this article is the building of castles by the Portuguese in Northern Africa, in the 15^th and 16^th centuries, either in conquered cities or as new and isolated foundations. Apart from Azemmour, identified as a castle/town, all Portuguese establishments over former Muslim medinas involved the formalization of at least one independent castle. This element was definitely one of the main instruments of appropriation in the Maghrebterritory. The study cases deal with the castle as an participant organism in the new Portuguese city, searching the most important and visible remains in Qsar Sghir, Asilah, Tangier and Safi, occasionally revisiting Ceuta or Azemmour, but also interpreting examples in which the castle has behaved as an autonomous body – Mogador, Ben Mirao, Aguz, Mazagão (until 1541). This reflection collects three main chronological moments – medieval, modernization essays and the Manueline maturity – before the upcoming challenges of pyroballistics began to tell the definitive story of modern fortification from mid-500s onwards in Northern Africa.