Coat of Arms of King D. Manuel - Guarda House

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The coat of arms of King Manuel sits proudly above the grand entrance of the Castle's Guard House at Montemor-o-Novo, a striking sight near the village's main door - also known as the Clock Door or Santarém Gate. At its center, a representation of Portugal's national coat of arms takes shape with five shields, carefully arranged around seven majestic castles that stretch out to the sides. On each flank, an armillary sphere shines brightly, serving as a powerful symbol of King Manuel I and his remarkable maritime conquests, which expanded the Kingdom of Portugal's influence across the seas. Crafted from marble in high relief, this beautiful piece still bears remnants of a long-forgotten inscription etched in Gothic script, but alas, time has taken its toll on the stone, rendering it illegible due to the corrosive effects of exposure to the elements.