Almeida, Portugal the current name was first used, in the form of the Arabic "al-Ma'ida" ('the plateau'). The village of Almeida was captured from the Moors by the second king of Portugal, Sancho I in the 12th century because of its strategic position on the new country of Portugal's border with Spain. So important to the security of the country, Sancho had the village heavily fortified. The castle was refortified on three further occasions by King Dinis, King Manuel I and by King João VI. The present 12 pointed star fortification was constructed in 1641 to a Vaubanesque plan on which the
The Portugal News The Portugal News The Portugal News is a national weekly newspaper in English published in Portugal. Established in 1977, "The Portugal News" is published weekly. The paper is the longest established English-language newspaper in publication in Portugal. It is politically neutral and carries current comment on the latest political developments each week. News on a local and national level is carried from throughout Portugal, with the aim of keeping expatriate residents and visitors fully informed about Portugal in the English language. In addition the website allows searching several years of editorials, which is useful for researching the country. "The Portugal