Who were the Moors…

You are probably aware that Portugal has a Moorish influence. The word ‘Moor’, comes from the Latin ‘Maurus’, first used by the Romans to denote someone from the Roman province of Mauretania, which was made up of the western part of present-day Algeria and the north-eastern part of what is now Morocco. It doesn’t refer to a particular ethnicity, but rather to a mix of North African and Arabian Muslims who colonised Spain during the 8th century. The region that would become Spain was called Iberia, and research has suggested that by the 10th century, half the population of the Iberian Peninsula was Muslim.

Invaded and Conquered

The Moorish Invasion of Portugal took place in the year 711 when a Muslim army led by Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, and for centuries the Moors ruled over Portugal, leaving an enduring mark on the country’s landscape. Their presence lasted for over four centuries, revolutionising Portugal’s agriculture, along with intellectual and artistic achievements. They introduced new crops such as rice, citrus fruits, pomegranate, and even sugarcane. They established themselves in various areas, including Lisbon (which they called ‘Lashbuna’), Santarém, and Mértola. The Moors may have started as conquerors, but soon became skilled architects, scientists, and musicians.

What they gave us

They gave us irrigation systems, and, of course, the splendid ‘azulejo’s (ceramic tiles) that are everywhere here, both inside and out. Their architecture of intricate geometric patterns and ornate decorations, flat roofs (did you know these are actually better at keeping out the heat?), and the famous ‘Hand of Fatima’ door knocker, can still be seen in Portugal today.

Notable Moorish Sites in Portugal

There are several significant Moorish towns still scattered across Portugal, and these are a few of a pretty long list. The Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouro) in Sintra, is one of the most iconic Moorish sites in Portugal, and the Castle of Silves (Castelo de Silves) is a classic example of Moorish presence in the Algarve region and is a magnificent Moorish fortification. Although São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge) in Lisbon has undergone several modifications over the years, the origins of this castle date back to the Moors. Even Albufeira's Old Town – nowadays a hot spot for tourists – is a region in the Algarve that has a distinct Moorish character, with narrow winding streets and white-washed houses. In Mértola in the Alentejo region, there is a well-preserved Moorish mosque, that was converted into a church. Significant is Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, that has a rich history dating back to the Moors, including the city walls and architectural details in the old town.

The Decline of the Moors

The Moors' presence in Portugal gradually declined. The ‘Reconquista’ was a series of Christian military campaigns aimed at reclaiming the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule, and in 1139, after a victorious battle, Afonso declared himself King Afonso I of Portugal, and thus began the slow process of driving the Moors out of Portugal. Although battles were fought by Christian rulers against Muslim ones, it didn’t mean an end to the Muslim presence in Portugal.

Vasco da Gama was celebrated as a national hero for opening the sea route to India that gave Portugal access to the spice trade, which had been controlled by the Arabs until then, and apparently was also accused of carrying out a campaign of terror against Muslims in the struggle for control of the sea trade. In retaliation for attacks against the Portuguese, he is said to have captured a ship with 200 Muslim pilgrims on board returning from Mecca and set it alight, killing many.

Arab Influence in the Portuguese Language

Among the words that the Arabs bequeathed are a good few place names with the prefix ‘AL,’ which meant ‘the west’, and others are those beginning with AZ or AS, (corresponding to the Arabic definite article) or OD, (meaning river).

So when you find yourself wandering the streets of Portugal’s towns, remember the Moors and their impact on the beauty, culture, and history of Portugal, even food – Cataplana is a popular dish we have inherited from them.

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan