Vila Real de Santo António - History
The origin of the town was as a small fishing port and probably dates back to Phoenician times. Due to the topographical flatness of the area the neighbouring hill of Castro Marim lent itself to a stronger fortified location. This frontier town with Spain was specially designed and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755 by the Marquês de Pombal, an important minister in the 18th Century who redesigned the centre of the City of Lisbon.Read more.