Sabugal

Sabugal stands above the Côa River in the upland border country of eastern Portugal. The town was founded under Alfonso IX of León, who granted it a charter. The Treaty of Alcañices in 1297 confirmed the area for Portugal, after which King Dinis strengthened the castle with a distinctive pentagonal keep.

King Manuel granted Sabugal a new municipal charter in 1515. Its Jewish heritage is recorded from at least the sixteenth century. During the Peninsular War, the Battle of Sabugal in 1811 brought British and Portuguese troops into conflict with the retreating French army near the town.