Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros), Sintra
The Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros) in Sintra outside Lisbon is an historic fort built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries. The castle was captured by Afonso Henriques (1109-1185) in 1147 and was no longer in use by the 15th century.
Damage to the walls and the chapel on the site (Chapel of São Pedro de Penaferrim) occurred in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and the site became a "romantic ruin" during the reign of Don Fernando II (1816-1885) in the 19th century.
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| The castle dates from the 8th & 9th centuries |
There are superb views over the wooded hills of Sintra from its battlements.
Other nearby places of interest include the Estate of Penha Verde (Quinta da Penha Verde), the Gardens of Pena (Parque da Pena) of which the ruined castle is part, the Estate of Regaleira (Quinta da Regaleira), and the Estate of Relógio (Quinta do Relógio).
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| There are superb views from the battlements |
The walls of the castle can be walked from Sintra-Vila along Rua Marechal Saldanha. The steep walk is about 2 km in total. Alternatively catch a #434 bus from Sintra Station which makes a circuit from Sintra Station via the town center, Castelo dos Mouros and the Palacio Nacional de Sintra.
The Castle of the Moors is open daily from 9.30 am-8 pm (summer) and 10 am-6 pm (winter). A combined ticket can be purchased to visit the Castle of the Moors, the National Palace and the Pena Palace.
The stand alone admission fee to the Castle of the Moors is presently 8 Euros.
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| The walls of the castle can be walked |
Access - Getting There
Castelo dos Mouros (www.parquesdesintra.pt)
Estrada da Pena
Parque de Monserrate
Sintra 2710-609
Portugal
Sintra Map
© Portugal Visitor
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