The Atalaia Magra is the only surviving watchtower of the four that once formed the defensive line of the border region of Contenda, which included the Alentejo areas of Moura, Aroche, and Encinasola. Built on a strategic elevated site with wide visibility, the tower is believed to stand on the remains of an Iron Age hillfort, later occupied during the Roman period. Its location, on an isolated hill overlooking a watercourse, allowed visual communication with Moura Castle and the other watchtowers.Originally, the tower was surrounded by a walled enclosure, of which only a few traces remain today. It has a circular plan, is tall and slender, measuring approximately four metres in diameter and twelve metres in height, proportions that explain its name, Atalaia Magra (“Slender Watchtower”). Just over one metre above ground level, a Gothic pointed-arch doorway opens onto the tower; access would have been made via a removable wooden ladder, restricting entry for defensive purposes.The masonry walls, built of small stonework, have largely collapsed on the western side. In the remaining structure, close to the top, three small square windows are still visible. Inside, the tower originally had two floors: the lower level covered by a stone vault, and the upper one likely topped by a wooden ceiling, now lost. Access between floors was provided by a spiral stone staircase.
Working in conjunction with the bastion of Moura Castle, the Atalaia Magra played a crucial role in defending local populations against Castilian incursions, a vital function in this frontier region. Its importance was particularly significant during the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, a period of frequent conflict. The tower was probably built in the 13th century, alongside the watchtowers of Cabeça Gorda, Porto Mourão, and Alvarinho. Notably, in 1290, King Dinis of Portugal ordered the remodelling of Moura Castle, including the construction of its keep. Unlike the Atalaia Magra, the other watchtowers had a square plan.
The entire defensive complex is set within a diverse natural landscape, combining open plains and mountainous areas. Today, this region forms part of a natural reserve, home to a significant population of red deer, along with a rich variety of local fauna and flora. For centuries, this landscape has served as a shared natural resource for local communities.
source:www.igespar.pt