Moorish Castle of Sintra

The Moorish Castle of Sintra is a castle from the early Middle Ages. This place has a special history that still attracts attention from the community. The attraction is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Portuguese are proud of this fact. Every year, not only local residents, but also tourists from different countries come here.

History of the Moorish Castle of Sintra

The period of construction of the castle dates back to the 8th-9th centuries, at that time Muslim Iberia existed. At that time, in 1031, the current king Alfonso VI managed to agree that part of the lands of the Iberian Peninsula would be transferred to the ruler of Leon. The main goal was the formation of a Christian alliance. One of the important lands that were transferred was the territory of Sintra.

However, the resulting alliance did not lead to anything. The Arabs occupied the town along with the castle. But, in 1147, the palace came into the possession of Alfonso Enrique, without any battle. And starting from that year, the reconstruction of the Moorish castle of Sintra was carried out exclusively by the Portuguese. Then nature made its own adjustments to the plans: in 1755 there was an earthquake, and the castle was abandoned completely.

Features of the Moorish Castle of Sintra

In 1840, by the decision of King Ferdinand II, the castle began to be restored. Every year 240 reais were allocated for these purposes. Some walls of the Moorish castle of Sintra were reunited. The territory was planted with various trees, and the Chapel at the castle was rebuilt.

For several more centuries, many projects were launched to maintain the general condition of the building. At the moment, the Moorish Castle of Sintra is considered uninhabited, but this does not prevent it from being one of the most amazing and visited tourist attractions in Sintra.

Moorish Castle of Sintra today

A cozy cafe and a tourist center have been installed on the castle grounds. The pedestrian paths have been leveled so that they can be easily ascended and descended. One of the main reasons to visit the castle is the view that visitors get after climbing the high hill. This is an area where the mountains are steep, and all the planted greenery is dense and difficult to pass.

The building itself is enclosed by one wall with a perimeter of 450 m and another, internal one. Within these walls, visiting guests can see towers, loopholes, observation platforms, and bastions. The Royal Tower is considered the tallest tower. It is located in the corner on the southeast side.

As you approach the southern wall, an arch with columns will appear in front of you. Their capitals are decorated with animals, such as griffins and basilisks. As for the interior, in this place there are frescoes depicting the patron saint of the chapel.