The Moorish Castle
Located on one of the hilltops of the Serra de Sintra, the Moorish Castle is a large military fortification built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries when they occupied most of the Iberia Peninsula and present-day Portugal. From atop the castle walls, the North African Moors kept watch upon the entire land that stretched all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River, avoiding attacks from both land and sea. But eventually the castle was conquered by Portugal’s first King Afonso Henriques and his Christian Crusaders army in 1147.
All along the paths encircling the castle, one can admire breathtaking views over a unique landscape, with Sintra and its palaces and stretching beyond to the vast plains to the north and the ocean. If you fancy some exercise, you can climb the steep defensive towers of the castle or explore its ancient battlements. The surrounding area is peaceful and serene. Close your eyes and imagine a Moor resident going about his or her life in the castle more than 1000 years ago…
It goes without saying, the Moorish Castle is classified as a National Monument. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The best place to stay if you want to visit the Moorish Castle and the surrounding Sintra area is the Hedone property in Galamares. It is just a 10-minute drive from the center of Sintra and another 10 minutes to the castle in the hills.
Hedone is Home.