Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.7930410095726, -9.389294684655834

The Castelo dos Mouros is a privileged point to admire the view that stretches from Sintra to the sea.

Winding along two peaks of the Serra de Sintra, the Castle dates back to the beginnings of the peninsular occupation by the Moors, in the 8th century.

After the conquest of Santarém, King D. Afonso Henriques imposed a siege on Lisbon, which lasted for three months.

Although the Castle of Sintra was voluntarily surrendered after the fall of Lisbon, legend has it that, on that occasion, fearful of a surprise attack on his forces by the Moors of Sintra, the sovereign entrusted D. Gil, a Templar knight , to form a group of twenty men of the strictest confidence to secretly observe the enemy movement there, preventing, at the same time, a displacement of the Moors from Lisbon, via Cascais, across the Tagus River to Sintra.

The crusaders secretly set out at night, to avoid being seen, hiding during the day, along the road from Torres Vedras to Santa Cruz, along the coast to Colares, still trying to avoid Albernoz, a feared Moorish chief from Colares, who had reputation as a killer of Christians. Between Colares and Penedo, Our Lady appeared to the fearful knights and told them: "Do not be afraid because there are twenty going, but a thousand going".

In this way, full of courage because Our Lady was with them, at the end of five days of journey they confronted the enemy, defeating him and conquering Castelo dos Mouros. In honor of this feat, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Milides ("thousand ides") was built in Colares.

History

The origins of the so-called Castelo dos Mouros, one of the only examples of military architecture in Sintra, are not yet fully understood. There are several theories put forward by researchers. Some argue that it may have originated in the 16th century. VII and, consequently, in the period of dominion of the Visigoths. The main fact that supports this theory is the apparatus used in the construction of the walls. However, most researchers attribute the foundation of the fortress to the 8th or 9th century and in this case to the Muslim period.

Strategically built on one of the highest peaks of the mountain and on an outcrop of large granite boulders, which to the north acts as an insurmountable natural defense, the castle rises full of nobility and excellence.

Structurally, the fortification has a double belt of walls (the outer one is now partially destroyed). With an irregular plan, it covers around 12,000 m2. Inside, we can see ruins of what were structures for storing cereals, stables and a rectangular cistern, 18 meters long and 6 meters wide. In the extreme north, concealed in the wall, among brambles and other vegetation is the famous Porta da Traição.

For a few centuries, and because it was no longer useful, trees and bushes took over the sections of the wall, in some cases part of it even collapsed. Shepherds and cattle became the watchful watchmen of the ruin in which the old fortress was located. However, the 19th century arrived and, consequently, the romantic aesthetics of the “Moorish Castle” would be changed.

Once again the sensitive, enlightened and enlightened spirit of King Fernando II played a role of capital importance in its recovery. Ruined architectural corners covered by native vegetation were much appreciated in this period. However, D. Fernando II, was determined not to let the little that still existed of the fortress disappear and, thus, in the middle of the century, he ordered the Baron von Eschewege to proceed with the restoration and consolidation of the old walls and its towers, returning the silhouette of the “Castelo dos Mouros” to the luxurious landscape of Sintra.

Inside the walls, as well as in its outer surroundings, the artist king ordered the entire area to be planted with trees, which today, after about one hundred and fifty years, delights us and takes our breath away when observing the palette of colors offered by the leaves of the trees. deciduous, with greens, browns, oranges or yellows.

Photos:

Full list of Geochaching below:

https://mirror.xyz/madeinpt.eth/I5tjF3sn6ugnUw3nBnKOpOUr2DEh_g6cTN-0hivKCgc

*Released*✅ *Reviewed*✅ Approved✅

Curator Body
0x1336fD9C06456Bd9d00Bc5C36319F3c06c84C759 0x083B4bE22ACA5dC213085F59a639663fB7C6C4d6 0x35E5Fb283c23d722295ce974fdF1c1B06507490f 0xD87100cB3f3348c7D9feab81a932f0eACAEeFE56 0xa9fdA291a97eA4CC8D07fA1f89473f79F171490C

Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.7930410095726, -9.389294684655834

The Castelo dos Mouros is a privileged point to admire the view that stretches from Sintra to the sea.

Winding along two peaks of the Serra de Sintra, the Castle dates back to the beginnings of the peninsular occupation by the Moors, in the 8th century.

After the conquest of Santarém, King D. Afonso Henriques imposed a siege on Lisbon, which lasted for three months.

Although the Castle of Sintra was voluntarily surrendered after the fall of Lisbon, legend has it that, on that occasion, fearful of a surprise attack on his forces by the Moors of Sintra, the sovereign entrusted D. Gil, a Templar knight , to form a group of twenty men of the strictest confidence to secretly observe the enemy movement there, preventing, at the same time, a displacement of the Moors from Lisbon, via Cascais, across the Tagus River to Sintra.

The crusaders secretly set out at night, to avoid being seen, hiding during the day, along the road from Torres Vedras to Santa Cruz, along the coast to Colares, still trying to avoid Albernoz, a feared Moorish chief from Colares, who had reputation as a killer of Christians. Between Colares and Penedo, Our Lady appeared to the fearful knights and told them: "Do not be afraid because there are twenty going, but a thousand going".

In this way, full of courage because Our Lady was with them, at the end of five days of journey they confronted the enemy, defeating him and conquering Castelo dos Mouros. In honor of this feat, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Milides ("thousand ides") was built in Colares.

History

The origins of the so-called Castelo dos Mouros, one of the only examples of military architecture in Sintra, are not yet fully understood. There are several theories put forward by researchers. Some argue that it may have originated in the 16th century. VII and, consequently, in the period of dominion of the Visigoths. The main fact that supports this theory is the apparatus used in the construction of the walls. However, most researchers attribute the foundation of the fortress to the 8th or 9th century and in this case to the Muslim period.

Strategically built on one of the highest peaks of the mountain and on an outcrop of large granite boulders, which to the north acts as an insurmountable natural defense, the castle rises full of nobility and excellence.

Structurally, the fortification has a double belt of walls (the outer one is now partially destroyed). With an irregular plan, it covers around 12,000 m2. Inside, we can see ruins of what were structures for storing cereals, stables and a rectangular cistern, 18 meters long and 6 meters wide. In the extreme north, concealed in the wall, among brambles and other vegetation is the famous Porta da Traição.

For a few centuries, and because it was no longer useful, trees and bushes took over the sections of the wall, in some cases part of it even collapsed. Shepherds and cattle became the watchful watchmen of the ruin in which the old fortress was located. However, the 19th century arrived and, consequently, the romantic aesthetics of the “Moorish Castle” would be changed.

Once again the sensitive, enlightened and enlightened spirit of King Fernando II played a role of capital importance in its recovery. Ruined architectural corners covered by native vegetation were much appreciated in this period. However, D. Fernando II, was determined not to let the little that still existed of the fortress disappear and, thus, in the middle of the century, he ordered the Baron von Eschewege to proceed with the restoration and consolidation of the old walls and its towers, returning the silhouette of the “Castelo dos Mouros” to the luxurious landscape of Sintra.

Inside the walls, as well as in its outer surroundings, the artist king ordered the entire area to be planted with trees, which today, after about one hundred and fifty years, delights us and takes our breath away when observing the palette of colors offered by the leaves of the trees. deciduous, with greens, browns, oranges or yellows.

Photos:

Full list of Geochaching below:

https://mirror.xyz/madeinpt.eth/I5tjF3sn6ugnUw3nBnKOpOUr2DEh_g6cTN-0hivKCgc

*Released*✅ *Reviewed*✅ Approved✅

Curator Body
0x1336fD9C06456Bd9d00Bc5C36319F3c06c84C759 0x083B4bE22ACA5dC213085F59a639663fB7C6C4d6 0x35E5Fb283c23d722295ce974fdF1c1B06507490f 0xD87100cB3f3348c7D9feab81a932f0eACAEeFE56 0xa9fdA291a97eA4CC8D07fA1f89473f79F171490C