At the time of the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the town was conquered by Portuguese forces under the command of D. Sancho I (1185-1211). Aiming at its repopulation and defense, the sovereign granted it a charter in 1203. It is believed that the construction of the medieval castle began at this stage.
During the time of D. Dinis (1279-1325) major reforms were undertaken in the village's defenses, including the construction of the village fence, completed in 1365.