Castelo dos Mouros, Sintra – Visitar e Conhecer

O Castelo dos Mouros, localizado no coração da Serra de Sintra, é um seus tesouros mais bem guardados. Quem visita Sintra e observa a paisagem, rapidamente identifica o Palácio Nacional da Pena, no topo. No entanto, e apesar de passar despercebido, ao seu lado é possível encontrar o Castelo dos Mouros, a 450 metros do chão.

Embora menos conhecido que a atração sua vizinha, o Castelo dos Mouros é uma paragem obrigatória para quem visita a região. Similarmente às restantes atrações dos Parques de Sintra, também os tickets to the Moorish Castle can be purchased online (here, com 5% de desconto) ou presencialmente na bilheteira. O preço de adulto é de 7.6€ comprado online ou de 8€ (em 2020), sem desconto.

the moorish castle is located at 450 meters of altitude

Built between the 18th and 19th centuries, the Castelo dos Mouros has its origins in the occupation of the territory by the Moors, who gave it its name. With the intention of being used for defense, including the maritime accesses to Lisbon, since from its walls it is possible to see the Atlantic Ocean, this construction had a strategic position for the country.

Legend has it that in 1147, after the voluntary surrender of the Castle of Sintra by the Moors, D. Afonso Henriques sent a group of crusaders to the Castle with fear of a surprise attack. On their way, unexpectedly, the crusaders saw Our Lady Mary, who gave them the strength to continue. Thus, the Crusaders faced the Moors and defeated them, conquering the Castle. This legend may have led to the construction of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Milides, in Colares, Sintra. Later Gualdim Pais, master of the Order of the Temple, received the role of manager of the village of Sintra, including this Castle.

the construction of the castle dates back to the 18th-9th centuries

To get here you can use different means of transport, being the most recommended and cheapest the bus.

A entrada no Castelo é feita através de uma escadaria que, sendo um pouco longa, deve ser feita com calma. Primeiramente, ainda antes da Bilheteira, surge um edifício onde é possível conhecer alguma da história do local, assim como ver objetos já encontrados. Esta é atualmente o Centro de Interpretação do Castelo dos Mouros. No entanto, foi a princípio chamada de Igreja de São Pedro de Canaferrim, tendo sido a primeira Igreja Paroquial de Sintra. Posteriormente, nas mãos de D. Fernando II, tornou-se numa ruína romântica.

Right in front we find an ancient tomb. In it were buried the bones found, not knowing whether they were Christian or Muslim bones. On the stone you can see a cross and it is possible to read “What man has joined, only God can separate”.

The current Interpretation Center of the Castelo dos Mouros was formerly the Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim, having been the 1st parish church of Sintra

the castle has several rows of walls, as well as different dates of construction and expansion

Then, and before the ticket office, there is an indication of old places used as cemeteries, called the Christian Medieval Necropolis, which would have been used to bury the dead for about 300 years. It is also here that a plaque appears indicating the different rows of the existing walls and their dates.

Only later, after crossing an entrance in the wall, do we arrive at the ticket office and, consequently, begin the visit.

Currently (2020) the route through the Castle follows a certain order. So, we continued along the Walls, along which the different Portuguese flags emerged over the years. In addition to this flag, next to the Praça das Armas (an open area that allowed the gathering of troops) there is a green flag, the color of Islam, with the word “Sintra” written in Arabic, thus representing the passage of the Moors through this Castle.

d. fernando II, the “artist-king” used the castle landscape, towards the Pena Palace, to get inspired

In this same area we find the so-called Porta da Traição ("Door of Betrayal"), hidden among the stones. A Door that allowed soldiers to access the outside and, in case of danger, escape. It also allowed the entry of enemy troops inside the Wall, hence its name.

Following the path, we pass the so-called Royal Tower. This would be a place where King Fernando II came looking for inspiration. It is also from here that we can see the Pena Palace in all its splendor, marking the landscape.

Although this visit appears to be simple, the feeling we have is that of visiting the top of the world.

A visit to the Moorish Castle offers an incredible view, whether of the city of Sintra, the Pena Palace or the Atlantic Ocean, destinations that, in the distance and through the fog, seem to attract those who look at them.