Castelo dos Mouros

"The Moors lived there until 1147, when Sintra was handed over to D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, following the conquest of the cities of Lisbon and Santarém. Strategically and in order to defend the territory, the management of the town of Sintra and its surrounding area was donated to Gualdim Pais, master of the Order of the Temple, receiving a charter in 1154. With the settlement of Christian populations in the Castle of the Moors, the Islamic Quarter began to disappear and gave way to a medieval town, whose occupation lasted until the 15th century, when it was progressively abandoned once the conflicts between Moors and Christians, the populations no longer needed to take shelter near the fortification. The Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim was part of this medieval village, built between the two belts of walls. In the 19th century, in accordance with the romantic spirit of the time, D. Fernando II carried out restoration work on the castle, reviving the medieval imagery that surrounds the place. These works damaged part of the Christian necropolis of the Church and, for this reason, a tomb was ordered to be built to bury the bones found. As it is not known whether these were Christian or Muslim human remains, it reads: “What man has gathered together, only God can separate”."

"The Castle of the Moors is a hilltop medieval castle built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries. It was an important strategic point during the Reconquista, and was taken by Christian forces after the fall of Lisbon in 1147. It is classified as a National Monument, part of the Sintra Cultural Landscape, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Same as Peña Palace, tickets should be purchased in advance. Tickets are €8 per person. We spent a decent amount of time at Pena Palace so we skipped the Castle all together. "

"Perched atop a hill overlooking the town, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Pena Palace and the Sintra National Park. Originally built during the 8th and 9th centuries by the Moors, the castle played a strategic role in defending the region. Visitors to Castelo dos Mouros can explore its rugged walls, towers, and scenic pathways while immersing themselves in the rich history and picturesque setting of this ancient fortress."