Img 0805

Moorish Castle

The Moorish Castle, or Castelo dos Mouros in Portuguese, is a medieval fortress located in Sintra, perched atop the Sintra Mountains. Its history dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries when the region was under Muslim rule during the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.

The castle was originally built by the Moors as a strategic military outpost to defend the fertile lands of Sintra and control the important trade routes between the coast and the interior of Portugal. Its strategic location provided commanding views of the surrounding landscape, making it an ideal defensive position.

During the Reconquista, the period when Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula sought to recapture territory from Muslim rule, the Moorish Castle played a significant role. In 1147, Sintra was conquered by Christian forces led by Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal. The castle was taken from the Moors after a prolonged siege, becoming part of the expanding Portuguese territory.

Over the centuries, the Moorish Castle underwent several modifications and expansions under Portuguese rule. It served primarily as a defensive stronghold, guarding the approaches to Lisbon and the surrounding region. However, by the 15th century, advances in military technology made the castle's defensive capabilities obsolete, and it fell into disuse.

In the 19th century, during the Romantic period, the Moorish Castle regained attention due to its picturesque ruins and dramatic setting. King Ferdinand II, who also commissioned the nearby Pena Palace, initiated restoration efforts to preserve the castle's historic significance and enhance its allure as a tourist attraction.

Today, visitors to the Moorish Castle can explore its extensive fortifications, including sturdy walls, towers, and ramparts, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and the Atlantic Ocean. The castle stands as a testament to the rich and complex history of the Iberian Peninsula, bearing witness to centuries of conquest, conflict, and cultural exchange.

Prev Next
Off the Shelves
HOME
  1. Introduction
    LISTEN
  2. Replica of King Tutankhamen’s Throne, pre-1980s
    LISTEN
  3. Horse Model, c. 1870s
    LISTEN
  4. Replica Radio-Controlled Model Airplane “Big Guff,” 1937
    LISTEN
  5. Dutch Merchantman Model, Handmade, c. 1949
    LISTEN
  6. Carrom Board, The Carrom Company, manufactured 1914-1939
    LISTEN
  7. Flexible Flyer Sled, S.L. Allen and Company, Inc.
    LISTEN
  8. Pieter Van Peenen’s Trunk, c. 1863
    LISTEN
  9. Wheelchair, circa 1940s-1950s
    LISTEN
  10. Child’s Ladder-Back Chair, 1840-1860
    LISTEN
  11. Child’s Rocking Chair, mid-19th century
    LISTEN
  12. Baby’s Highchair, 1830-1839
    LISTEN
  13. Bassinet, Vermeulen Furniture Company, 1930
    LISTEN
  14. Rocking Horse, Pony Boy Manufacturing Company, 1947-1948
    LISTEN
  15. Edgars Krasts’ Trunk, c. 1951
    LISTEN
  16. Work Table, date unknown
    LISTEN
  17. Bicycle, “Mini Miss,” Stelber Bicycle Corporation, c. late 1960s
    LISTEN
  18. Electric Stove, Kalamazoo Stove & Furnace Company, 1948-1950
    LISTEN
  19. Electro Hygiene Vacuum Cleaner, c. 1940
    LISTEN
  20. Pump Organ, Star Organ, c. 1870s
    LISTEN
  21. Electric Phonograph Company, 1916-1918
    LISTEN
  22. Regina Music Box, c. 1895
    LISTEN
  23. Console Television, Model 2U172L Run 2, Magnavox, c. 1960
    LISTEN
  24. Radio, Zenith Radio Company, 1940-1941
    LISTEN
  25. Bass Drum, Barbour Hall Military Academy Band, c. 1950s-1979
    LISTEN
  26. Chickering Piano, 1864
    LISTEN
  27. Florentine Table, c. 1875
    LISTEN
  28. Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915
    LISTEN
  29. Carved Chair, purchased 1915
    LISTEN
  30. Table, Hinoki Wood, 1915
    LISTEN
  31. Settee, c. 1870
    LISTEN
  32. Writing Desk and Chair, c. 1880
    LISTEN
  33. Singer Sewing Machine, 1927
    LISTEN
  34. Underwood Standard Bookkeeping Machine, post-1923
    LISTEN
  35. Permanent Wave Machine, c. 1937
    LISTEN
  36. Hoekstra’s Hardware Store Sign, 1940s-2017
    LISTEN
  37. Test 'Ur Own' Radio and TV Tube Tester, c. Late 1950s - Early 1960s
    LISTEN
  38. Telephone Switchboard, 555 PBX (Private Branch Exchange) model, 1955-1969
    LISTEN