Donation of Dornes region

In 1206, Pedro Afonso, chief lieutenant of the kingdom and lord of Reguengo de Monsalude, donated the Dornes region to the Templars. There, Gualdim Pais, Master of the Order of the Temple, had the Tower of Dornes built on the banks of the Zêzere river, with the aim of guarding and defending the region during the Reconquest.

Unusual due to its pentagonal plan, it constitutes a rare example of military architecture in the Reconquest period. Built in shale and limestone on the seat of an old Roman bridge, the Tower has several warrior symbols on the door that testify to its military function.