The rugged walls of this fortress trace their origins to the 8th and 9th centuries, when Muslim rulers controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula. Then during the centuries-long Reconquista (Reconquest), after Xintara was captured by Christian forces shortly after they took Lisbon in 1147, the castelo gradually lost its military importance and eventually fell into ruin. Today visitors can walk along restored ramparts that snake across the ridgeline, enjoying some of Sintra´s finest panoramic views. While the Pena Palace sits at a higher elevation, many visitors find the vistas from the castle walls even more impressive.

Read more in Tripatini contributor Anshul Agarwal´s post 7 Scintillating Sites in Sintra,