19/05/2026 - Juromenha Fortress wins National Urban Regeneration Award

The restoration and conservation project for the Juromenha Fortress and Castle, in the municipality of Alandroal, has won the National Urban Regeneration Award in the ‘Best Restoration Project’ category. ERA Arqueologia was the organisation responsible for the conservation and restoration, as well as the archaeological work, in one of the largest projects it has ever been involved in, which began in 2022.

In addition to winning the Restoration category, Juromenha Fortress was also a finalist in the Structures category, standing out amongst some 80 entries accepted for this year’s National Rehabilitation Awards. In a project that combined the know-how of traditional techniques — such as rammed earth — with modern technology, this recognition consolidates ERA’s position as a leading player in major heritage interventions in Portugal, with the skills and experience acquired by the team being fundamental to the development of future projects.

ERA's team also conducted a variety of archaeological excavations, primarily focusing on contexts from the Modern and Contemporary periods. These excavations, part of the wall consolidation project promoted by the Municipality of Alandroal, revealed the enormous complexity of the architecture, lifestyles and historical processes associated with this monument situated on the banks of the River Guadiana.

The Mayor of Alandroal, João Grilo, dedicated the award to the people of Juromenha and the municipality, publicly acknowledging the contribution of all the organisations involved, namely ERA Arqueologia, the design team at Pedro Pacheco Arquitetos, HCI (construction) and Ripórtico (supervision).

The Juromenha Fortress is part of the REVIVE Programme, which includes plans for a tourism project to promote public use of the heritage site. The restoration of the fortress is considered one of the largest heritage projects in the Alentejo, with ERA having played a central role in enhancing this historic military complex in the border region.