Castle of the Moors

The Moors

The Moors built it in the 8th and 9th centuries to guard the land

The castle was built in the 8th and 9th centuries, during the period of Muslim Iberia, as the central place in territory that was mainly agricultural. It was an important strategic point during the Reconquista.

1147

The castle gave itself up to Christian forces in 1147

After the conquest of Lisbon in 1147 by forces loyal to Afonso Henriques, the castle surrendered voluntarily to Christian forces. He entrusted its security to 30 inhabitants and granted them privileges in a charter signed in 1154.

30inhabitants given the castle's security in 1154

Left behind

Its role faded as people moved down to the village of Sintra

By 1383 the castle was well fortified, but its military importance kept shrinking as inhabitants left for the old village of Sintra. In the 16th century the parish moved to a new church in the village, and the castle was abandoned. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake then damaged the chapel.

Ferdinand II

By 1838 the towers were in ruins, and Ferdinand II began to conserve them

In 1840 Ferdinand II began conserving the castle. He consolidated the walls, reforested the spaces and conserved the chapel. Along the south flank of the chapel he built a monument to collect the bones discovered during the public works.

The walls

A double line of walls follows a 450-metre perimeter on the cliff

The castle is an irregularly planned military outpost on top of a mountainous cliff. A double line of military walls meanders over the granite terrain. Inside are a subterranean cistern, 18 metres long by 6 metres wide, and a small door known as the Traitors Gate.

450-metreperimeter of the castle walls