The Moorish Castle is a medieval fortification founded in the 10th century during the Moorish occupation in the Iberian peninsular. Winding across two ridges on the Sintra Mountain, the high vintage point provided the Moors a strategic view along the Atlantic Coast and surrounding lands.
Getting there:
You can take bus no. 434 to Castelo dos Mouros, which is one stop before Pena Palace. The bus route of bus no. 434 is a one-direction loop. The journey is about 13 minutes from Sintra Station. However, I would recommend to visit Pena Palace first, then take a 5-minutes walk to the entrance of Moorish Castle.
Ticket office of Moorish Castle.
Map and layout of the castle.
It was a scenic walk under shades of trees towards the walls.
The silo was used to store grains and legumes. The use of silos has been documented since prehistoric times and was widely introduced in the Al-Andalus (medieval Muslim state covering most of the Iberian Peninsular) by the Arabs.
The restoration works promoted by King Ferdinand II damaged part of the Christian necropolis located around the church. A small tomb was thus built to lay the remains that had been unearthed. The head stone bore the engraving of a crescent and a cross with the inscription: "What man has assembled only God can set apart." given the inability to distinguish whether the human remains were Christian or Muslim.
Church of Sao Pedro was built in the 12th century. It was the first parish church of Sintra, which was used for worship until the 14th century. It now houses the Interpretation Centre of the History of the Castle, where objects found during the archaeological excavations are exhibited.
The Muslims who inhabited the castle settled on the most sheltered hillside, where the remains of houses, an oven and silos were found. After the conquest by King Afonso Henriques, the former Islamic medieval quarters was destroyed and replaced by Christian medieval necropolis serving the Church of Sao Pedro de Canaferrim, with graves containing more than one individual (adults, children and adolescent resting in the same space).
The Arms Square is the broadest open space in the castle. It provided for gatherings of the military garrison. In the 19th century, it was transformed into a place of rest and contemplation.
Walking along the inner walls on the northern face of the castle.
Climbing up the walls towards the Royal Tower.
The Royal Tower offers the privileged view of Pena Palace. This would have been one of King Ferdinand II's favourite locations to find artistic inspiration in the landscape, in accordance with his romantic ideal.
In order to protect people, animals and crops, a second circle of walls is usually built, which is evidence that a sizeable settlement once existed on this slope.
The natural and serene setting of the Moorish Castle is a welcomed change as compared to the other tourist-crowded sights of Sintra. Recommended a visit while in Sintra.
Moorish Castle
* 5% discount if you buy tickets online
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