Castle of the Moors, Medieval castle in Sintra, Portugal.
Castle of the Moors is a fortress that sprawls across two ridges of the Serra de Sintra mountains, built with granite walls that blend seamlessly into natural rock faces. The structure takes full advantage of the steep terrain, with walls following the rocky landscape for roughly 450 meters in length.
The fortress was built during the 8th century by North African forces and served as a military outpost for centuries. In 1147, Portuguese King Afonso I captured it during the period of reconquest, transforming it into a Christian stronghold.
The fortress shows traces of its religious past in how spaces were repurposed over time. After Portuguese forces took control, Islamic structures were adapted for Christian worship, visible in the modified layouts throughout the compound.
The site sits on a hilltop with steep paths and uneven terrain, so sturdy footwear is important. Allow time to wander through the grounds, as the elevation makes regular stops natural, and views throughout the walk reward the effort.
One often-overlooked feature is the network of cisterns built into the fortification, which collected rainwater through an advanced medieval system. This engineering allowed the garrison to remain supplied even during prolonged dry periods or sieges.
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