Castelo de Sesimbra

In the foundation lies a 1300-year-old fortress with a view, beer garden, and a similar history to other castles nearby.

In 844, Vikings plundered Lisbon, then Cádiz and Seville. All these cities belonged to the Emir of Córdoba, who consequently fortified the coasts and estuaries, presumably including Sesimbra. We’re not entirely sure because, like most other fortifications here, there was a settlement long before. Specifically, the name Sesimbra comes from the Roman ”Cempsibriga,” a hill of the Celtic Cempsi tribe.

The Vikings didn’t return. Instead, Christians did: in 1147, a plundering crusader army took over Sintra, Lisbon, and Palmela. This paved the way for the young Kingdom of Portugal to move southward, and in 1165, they took Sesimbra. It’s often said that the first king personally rode through the castle gate. Unlikely — because most conquests at that time were carried out by private armies.

A counter-offensive came in 1191: Moroccan ”Defenders of the Unity of God” took over an abandoned village out of fear and set the place on fire. It didn't last long. In the 13th century, the Order of Santiago took charge with a bunch of privileges to ensure structure, order, and obedient Catholic taxpayers. The town grew: by 1323, there was a settlement outside the castle walls by the sea, prompting the construction of a new main tower as an early warning system with a view of the sea.

In 1384, the fortress experienced perhaps its most important moment when the future John I hid in Sesimbra from Castilian troops and the plague. As everywhere, unnecessary preparations were made for another war against the neighbor in 1640, and during the Napoleonic occupation, troops used the partially damaged military station. In 1875, part of the land was opened as a cemetery, and around 1900, the penultimate monarch pursued his hobby of deep-sea research in the area.

 

Around 1900, Dom Carlos liked to come to the Sesimbra area to indulge in his hobby: the king with German origins even had his yacht converted for marine research. Details are revealed in the Museum in the Fort.

 

 

Later, Salazar discovered history as a propaganda tool and, according to his personal historical vision, also renovated a bit in Sesimbra. Serious preservation measures are new and primarily celebrate their initiators. A stroll along the castle wall offers a great view to an impressive 200,000 visitors per year, and a brief visit to the exhibition in the tower reveals details. Coffee and cake are also available.