In the second quarter of the 12th century, the territory of Mogadouro was donated to the Order of the Temple by King Afonso I. In this period of affirmation of the new kingdom of Portugal, it was necessary to build new military structures in the border territory of Trás-os-Montes for the defence against Leonese and Muslim military incursions.
In the second half of the 12th century, the Templars built the Keep, based on a rocky outcrop, and isolated inside the walled enclosure.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, Gothic elements were introduced in its architecture to adapt to the system of “active defence”. From the 15th century onwards, the Távora family transformed the Castle into their palatial residence until 1759, when their property was confiscated in favour of the crown. Until 1834, it became the residence of the Juízes de Fora, later falling into ruin.
