The Castelo dos Mouros, or Castle of the Moors, is one of Sintra‘s most iconic buildings – and an experience I highly recommend. Unlike the stately homes and palaces you normally associate with Sintra, this castle is significantly older and much more austere. There are no lavish antique furniture pieces, detailed tapestries, impressive oil paintings,or ornate architectural features. There’s not so much as a pretty azulejo tile in sight! So why would you want to go?
But first, a quick history lesson: the Moors began building this castle in the 8th century! The aim was to fortify the area and control the routes between Sintra and what is present-day Lisbon, Cascais, and Mafra. It was taken by the Christians 1147, four years after Portugal officially became a country.
What makes this castle different to most other attractions in Sintra, which tend to be very regal, is that the castle is just essentially a stone fortification. It’s definitely a “no-frills” experience. But it’s one that very obviously transports you back in time to the Middle Ages – especially when you compare it to the nearby Pena Palace.
When you enter the castle, turn right and take the stairs. You’ll come up to the first turrets. As you make your way around the fortification, the flags you see are all different versions of the Portuguese flag as it evolved throughout the ages, which I think is a really interesting touch.
If, like me, you aren’t comfortable with heights, it’s still doable (although there may be moments where you may not love the experience). Nevertheless, the magnificent views – in my opinion, some of the best, if not the best in all of Sintra – negate any hesitations you might have about walking along the fortification. If you can go on a clear day, even better: you’ll have views over huge distances. You can see why the Castle of the Moors was such a prime location for protecting key routes between different parts of the greater Lisbon region.
Pro tip: If you have time, take a few extra minutes to check out the sometimes-overlooked areas on the ground inside the castle walls near the ticket stand, and on the outside of the walls. These excavations reveal glimpses of life (and death) from hundreds of years ago. There is also a cistern inside the castle walls, which, in the event of a siege, would provide life-saving water for anyone inside the castle. Also: try to find a wooden door, called the Porta da Traição (the Door of Betrayal), which was built as a last resort escape route out of the castle. It got its name because doors work two ways: it was also a way to let the enemy in… Lastly, don’t forget to stop into the small museum on your way in or out of the castle.
Though the Castle of the Moors is very different to many other landmarks and buildings in Sintra, it’s still very much an iconic part of the town’s landscape, and a memorable experience. Don’t miss this one…
