According to a frequently mentioned legend, described by Friar Amador Arrais in his 1589 work,
Diálogos, Portalegre was founded by Lísias in the 12th century BC, following the disappearance of his daughter Maia. She was walking with Tobias when she is coveted by a vagabond, Dolme, who kidnaps and murders Tobias. Lísias is desperate for his daughter's disappearance and goes in search of her, eventually finding her dead by a stream that today is named Ribeiro de Baco. Lísias will die of joy when she thinks she has seen her daughter extend her arms to her. The city that was founded in the meantime was given the name of
Ammaia. Lysias would also have built a fortress and a temple dedicated to
Bacchus on the site where the Church of São Cristóvão stands today. According to Friar Amador Arrais, ruins of this temple still existed in the 16th century. It is believed the legend resulted from fantasies somehow supported by the existence of a tombstone with a dedication to the Roman emperor
Commodus (161-192), which was probably brought from the ruins of the Roman city at São Salvador da Aramenha, near
Marvão, which is now commonly accepted as the Roman Ammaia referred to in various historical sources. The location of this and other cities mentioned in sources from the Roman period, Medóbriga, was the subject of controversy until, at least, the beginning of the 20th century, with speculation until that time whether there were any important ancient settlements in the area currently occupied by the city or in its surroundings. The name of Portalegre comes from
Portus Alacer (meaning "happy" port or crossing point). It is likely that in the 12th century there was a village in the valley to the east of Serra da Penha. The name of Portalegre, where one of the important activities would be to provide shelter and food for travelers (hence the name of port, crossing point or supply). The contrast of its green slopes and valleys with the more arid and monotonous landscape to the south and north may have contributed to its name. The village prospered. In 1129, it was a village in the municipality of
Marvão, becoming the seat of the municipality in 1253, having been awarded the first charter in 1259 by
Afonso III, who ordered the construction of the first fortifications, which were never completed. in 1704 Owing to its proximity to the border with
Spain, over the years Portalegre endured many invasions by foreign troops. In 1704, during the
War of the Spanish Succession, it was attacked and conquered by the army of
Felipe V; again in 1801 during the
War of the Oranges, it surrendered to the Spanish Army, in an attempt to counter the French dominion. In 1847, it was occupied by forces of the Spanish General Concha. Portalegre becomes capital of the
homonymous district when the
districts were formed on 18 July 1835. == Geography ==