A chalet nestled in the hills around Sintra

Another chalet nestled in the hills around Sintra

Palacio National:  the home of the royal family.  Note the two white chimneys on the right.  The most unusual design we have seen to date.

View of Castelo dos Mouros or the Moorish Castle from the Palacio National.

The castle was built by the Moors on top of a mountain in the 9th century and restored under the last Portuguese king.

Details of the cistern, one of the most important part of any fort

Lots of steps to climb to view the coastline fifty miles away!

Ruins of the castle are shrouded by flora.

Granite boulders continue to impress us!

The restoration created a park environment.

Note the original building style:  large rocks embedded with smaller ones.

A hole in the wall leads to parts unknown.  Is this the traitor door?

A good hike from the entrance to the summit.

The entrance to the castle

Jackie trying to decide if the view is worth the climb.

Our tour guide, Sue, decides it is!

View from the Moorish Castle

The Moorish influence is very ornate.

Combinations of tile and stone sculpture

Detail of the gnome holding up the window

Details of an external ceiling foyer

Details of Portuguese tile notably created in the middle ages