9 January, the day that marks a new phase in Sintra's history

9 January is a historic day for Sintra. 

In 1147, after the conquest of Lisbon by the army commanded by King Afonso Henriques, Sintra surrendered without a fight. Thus, on 9 January 1154, he king granted a charter to Sintra. In order to guarantee the military defence of the region and the agricultural productivity of the territory, King Afonso Henriques granted a charter to a group of 30 settlers and their families, listing their rights and obligations. The charter is the first piece of legislation concerning Sintra that we know of, and the first ‘code of public law,’ wrote Francisco Costa in his 'Estudos Sintrenses' (Studies of Sintra)

“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. It pleases me, Afonso, King of the Portuguese, son of Count Henrique and Queen Teresa and grandson of King Afonso the Great, and my wife, Queen Mafalda, daughter of Count Amadeu, to grant you who inhabit Sintra, of the upper or lower class and of whatever order you may be, and to your children and descendants, an irrevocable charter of rights, stability and service”, read the opening lines of the charter.

By this time, there were already references to the Palace of Sintra - What we know today as the National Palace of Sintra is the oldest palace in Portugal, with more than 1,000 years of history!

Thirty-five years later, King Sancho I confirmed the charter granted by his father. Just over three centuries later, it was King Manuel I's turn to grant a new charter, a document adapted to the experiences of the time.