Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History & Culture
Archaeological finds in Sintra indicate the area has been populated since the early Palaeo-
lithic period by various cultures and civilizations. During the Roman occupation of the
Iberian Peninsula, the residents of Sintra were considered to be part of the Roman Galeria
and the lands formed part of the expansive Civitas Olisiponense. Under Moorish occupa-
tion, Sintra was referred to as Shantara or Xintara and considered the second most import-
ant centre after Lisbon.
Between the 9
th
and 12
th
Centuries, Sintra was attacked numerous times by the Reconquista
ending only in 1147 when Alfonso Henriques conquered the castle and acknowledged the
town as a municipality in 1154. Over the next few centuries, Sintra became a favourite hol-
iday destination for royalty, resulting in the construction of estates and palaces. After the
earthquake of 1755, Sintra recovered and entered a golden age. Writers, poets, painters, and
musicians flocked to this fairy-tale town and rediscovered the magic which lay in its centre
and surroundings. Today, Sintra attracts thousands of visitors eager to discover the 'glori-
ous Eden' as described by Lord Byron in the 18
th
Century.
© Flickr / Alonso Javier Torres
