Mountain castle, with elements of the Romanesque and Gothic style, was originally integrated by the alcáçova enclosure and the town wall, defended by a barbican. They also owned the Ribeira and Alfange riverside neighborhoods. The village fence was torn by seven doors, determined by the seven access roads.

At the time of the Independence of Portugal, in view of the advance to the south of the Portuguese forces under the command of King D. Afonso Henriques (1112-1185), the Castle of Santarém was conquered, on March 15, 1147, by surprise in an assault nocturnal. On the occasion, the sovereign donated the entire ecclesiastical right of the population to the Order of the Templars