Castelo dos Mouros (Sintra) – Visitar e Conhecer

Castelo dos Mouros ("Moorish Castle"), located in the heart of Serra de Sintra, is one of its best kept treasures. Those who visit Sintra and observe the landscape, quickly identify the Pena National Palace, at the top. However, and despite going unnoticed, next to it you can find the Castelo dos Mouros, 450 meters from the ground.

Although less known than its neighbor attraction, Castelo dos Mouros is a must-see for anyone visiting the region. Similar to the other attractions in the Sintra Parks, the tickets to the Moorish Castle can be purchased online (here, with 5% discount) or in person at the ticket office. The adult price is €7.6 purchased online or €8 without discount.

the moorish castle is located at 450 meters of altitude

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

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 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

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

The entrance to the Castle is via a staircase which, being a bit long, should be done slowly. First, even before the ticket office, a building appears where it is possible to know some of the history of the place, as well as to see objects that have already been found. This is currently the Interpretation Center of Castelo dos Mouros. However, it was at first called Igreja de São Pedro de Canaferrim, having been the first Parish Church of Sintra. Later, in the hands of Fernando II, it became a romantic ruin.

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 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.