Castelo de Sines (Sines Castle)
History
The earliest human occupation of the castle hill dates back to prehistory (Paleolithic period), later Romanized, as evidenced by archaeological findings, including the pedestal of a statue dedicated to Mars, later incorporated into its walls. Other evidence of the later Visigoth presence has also been identified here (a 7th-century Christian temple, whose remains are also incorporated into the walls), succeeded, from the 8th century onwards, by the Muslims.
During the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula, the region was conquered by King Sancho I (1185-1211) between the late 12th and early 13th centuries. His son and successor, King Afonso II (1211-1223), donated the domains of Sines to the Knights of the Order of Santiago. The fishing village received its charter from King Pedro I (1357-1367) in November 1362, separating it from Santiago do Cacém, with the stipulation that a fortification be built. This fortification never materialized, and given that this stretch of coast was traditionally plagued by corsair raids, King João I (1385-1433) exempted its inhabitants from military service in the border campaigns (1395) in order to defend the village.
The castle was finally built from scratch in 1424, at the request of the people's procurator, Francisco Neto Chainho Pão Alvo. Its chief magistrate was later Estêvão da Gama, father of the navigator Vasco da Gama, who was supposedly born here in 1469.
During the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521), the town received its new charter (July 1512), a period in which it underwent extensive modernization and expansion works, visible in the structure of the towers on the west side and in the window of the Chief Magistrate's Palace.
With the establishment of the Philippine Dynasty in the country at the end of the 16th century, threats to the Portuguese coast intensified. At the beginning of the 17th century, the southern coast of the country was surveyed by the Neapolitan military engineer and architect Alexandre Massai (1614), who proposed the rebuilding of the Sines fortification, adapting it to the new military needs, which did not materialize. At this time, a small external battery was already mentioned, covering the southern flank with an approximately star-shaped plan; the Fort of Nossa Senhora das Salvas and two forts to cooperate in the defense of Pessegueiro Island (Pessegueiro Fort) were begun.
During the Peninsular War, Napoleonic troops sacked the town, chipping away the stone coat of arms with the royal crest that topped the castle's gate.
During the Liberal Wars, after the Concession of Évora Monte (May 26, 1834), it was from Sines that D. Miguel (1828-1834) embarked for exile (July 1834).
It has been listed as a Property of Public Interest since June 24, 1933. However, the action of the public authorities was only felt in 1956, through a consolidation and partial restoration intervention, carried out by the General Directorate of National Buildings and Monuments (DGEMN). New damage was recorded, however, to its structure, caused by the 1969 earthquake.
With Sines being elevated to city status on July 12, 1997, more comprehensive work was carried out on its monument between 1998 and 2001, in a partnership between the DGEMN (Directorate-General for National Monuments and Buildings) and the Sines City Council. This involved the recovery and consolidation of the outer sections of the walls and the improvement of some areas of its interior.
More recently, the Sines City Council held a public competition for the development of a project to arrange the adjacent external spaces, aiming to enhance its surroundings. The Keep, where the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama (1469) is believed to have been born, currently houses the Sines Natural History Museum.
Investing in its tourist potential, the city and its castle (reputed as one of the best venues for open-air concerts in the south of the country) host the World Music Festival every year on the last weekend of July.
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