Keep

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Sintra

Location

The keep stands on one of the highest points of the Sintra mountains, in a position that naturally dominates the surrounding landscape. This structure is an integral part of an ancient defensive redoubt, where local authorities once resided. From here, the view extends over a vast area, from the plains north of the mountains to the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean.

A Strategic Center

This tower constituted the heart of the medieval fortification, functioning as its main bastion of power and the last refuge in case of attack. Its strategic location was crucial, allowing complete visual control over the surrounding territory, essential for defense. The tower's importance was recognized even by illustrious figures; in 1109, the Norwegian king Sigurd I, impressed upon sighting it from the coast, made a point of traveling to visit this emblematic defensive point.

Defensive Architecture

As a central element of a fortification, the keep is distinguished by its impressiveness and solidity. Generally taller than other structures, its construction allowed for a comprehensive view of the entire walled perimeter, optimizing surveillance and defense capabilities. Its robust walls had few openings, mostly narrow slits for shooting arrows. Access to its interior was typically through the first floor, via wooden stairs that could be easily removed, transforming it into a final redoubt of resistance, a true "castle within a castle."

A Symbol of Power

In Portugal, the keep was not just a fundamental piece in military strategy; it also represented the center of royal authority in the region. It was in this place that the castellan, responsible for the administration and defense of the territory, rendered his "preito de menagem" (homage oath), a solemn pledge of loyalty to the king. This practice underscored the tower's symbolism as a pillar of feudal loyalty and power, consolidating the link between the fortification and the crown.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt