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Night Walk
The First Benefit
This is a private tour; meaning that only you and the people that you bring with you will compose the group along Miguel Boim.
and the Highlights
direct insight from a researcher who studies Inquisiton processes related with Sintra
the appropriate management and transmission of the information in the context of Sintra's past
the most mundane and trivial habits and customs which get people's chest closer to History
availability to reply to all questions related with Sintra's History and Heritage during the tour / night walk
Synopsys / Teaser
In the region, all the open cases would converge to Lisbon's Inquisition court. But what news would arrive from Lisbon? And here, in the village of Sintra, what was happening while people eagerly awaited for the Auto de Fé in the Kingdom's capital?
The processes, the reports and stories, the atmosphere in which people were living, all of them bring light into a series of shadows created by the fantasy, while at the same time it raises the veil that hides in the past some of those stories from History, which are much superior to any fiction.
The habits and the customs, the delations and denouncements, all of the stories enveloped in the nocturnal atmosphere of one of the most propitious places to let the mind travel to the past, all in Miguel Boim words.
Title: "when in pursuit of a culprit who ran away from his residence or from the Reign"
from Inquisition instructions to the officials; 17th century
Archive: Arquivo Nacional Torre do Tombo
Elucidation of the Walk
The Inquisition's Hand in Sintra
Do we visit the interior of any monument?
The interior of monuments are not going to be visited. Althought that, you'll have the opportunity to see - from the outside - some monuments of interest such as Quinta da Regaleira, and some in the distance like the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace (if fog allows it).
Will we get to know the origin the names of places and how they were in the past?
Inevitably Miguel Boim will talk about how some of the places you will pass were in the past, specially those related with sentences, and how they were applied. Not only related with Inquisition's laws, but also with state's laws. If you wonder why you will get to know it. So, in some cases you will also know the origins of some names, having the basis of toponymy but also the legends from the past.
There will be a massacre of only just dates and facts as in any tour?
You will hear some facts to help you understand how the Inquisition worked, but positioning them in time, since they were not in the same way all along the centuries. You will "know with your mind" the nearest Inquisition's court (Lisbon's), and how some of the people here in Sintra fell in some Inquisition's processes, from solicitation to witchcraft. And how people accused could be seen by others, since they were marked in society. Also, people who have lived in Sintra in the distant past are going to be mentioned, due to their role in strange circumstances.
Wouldn't we know those processes and ways of acting of the Inquisition in any other form?
What you could find for yourself it is not going to be told - with the exception of the basics. It takes a continuous study to, as years go by, understand in a better way how Inquisition really worked in each century, in each decade, in each year. As as you may know, although the law is the same for everyone, it is not applied in the same manner to everyone, like we see it today. Consulting hundreds of processes and noticing those discrepancies gives an unique insight of how people behaved in the past towards certain situations. And for a better understanding you will receive curious pieces of information known only to whoever lives in the past through the continuous study.
Notes on the desired atmosphere / ambience:
Several of the purposes of these visits are related with the ambient that people can enjoy if in the mountains and in the Historical Center in silence. For this theme, it matters us the Historical Center since we won't get deep in the mountain. For that it is importante to get away from the touristic crowds, so it is advisable that this walk starts at night. All the care is taken to avoid other nightly events from the council and/or other organizations (with its proper margin of error, since some are private and others with almost no time of advertisement). The silence and care taken and enjoyed by you it is also a form of preservation of Sintra's old spirit.
It can happen to be a foggy night which - although it contributes to the environment of the accounts - can limit the visibility to monuments and landscapes. The fog can appear during the walk, since it is usual to happen in a clear landscape to be completely covered in fog in the space of one or two minutes.
And to feel in the most intense way this side of Sintra's past, you are more than welcome to expose all the questions you have not only related with the theme of the night but with everything related with Sintra's History and Heritage.
if this watercolor from the 1820's it seems just the monument
you see nowadays in Sintra's Historical Center, you
are looking at it with the wrongful today's filters
On the Day of the Walk
What will happen?
In this walking tour which takes five kilometres and three to four hours, there will be stopping places where Miguel Boim will tell some accounts of the past history related with the Inquisition, with Sintra, and with the relation of both. Besides the accounts on those processes and relations, you'll receive information on how certain aspects that you can see today are different from what you could see in the past, focusing not only on the Village but also on the mountains.
The purpose of the accounts related with the processes and with the Inquisition's atmosphere in Sintra it's to create a bigger impact not only in the knowledge that one can take with him, but also on one's feelings and emotions, using for that a knowledge that can make people from the past more human than simply names in processes, names in History.
You are going to be shown images from Sintra's past so that you can go deeper in the processes, and notice the difference between the now and then.
The total time it will be situated between three and four hours, and the effort to make the walk it is very similar to a whole afternoon strolling around Sintra (with it's own stairs and ups and downs).
This theme's route it is mostly around the Village with a very very small incursion in the dark of this part of the mountain - the Village -, so that you can feel what is hidden in the marvellous nocturnal landscape. It is forbidden to walk in the mountain at night and only with the right licenses and burocracy you are able to do what you are about to do. The very small incursion it is on soil, but easily done by whoever doesn't have mobility limitations.
It is possible to do this walk during the day, having in mind the crowds and noise you can encounter on the way.
The time taken for the accounts of this theme are longer than the normal so it is advisable that you have comfortable footwear and warm clothes.
the signature states: "mestre nyculao chaterene"
what is going Master Nicolau tell us from the 16th century?
Some Images of What You May Encounter
The connection between different eras.
Using the information on Inquisition's processes to sew those different times, having surprises in the end.
Actual picture taken from the night walk (The Inquisition's Hand in Sintra) route.
Photographer credits: Miguel Boim.
«Questions asked to frey Miguel da Torre, friar from the Capuchos Order.»
What have frey Miguel replied? And to whom? And what consequences have arised from those answers?
Detail of an actual Inquisition's process from the 16th century, from the ANTT (Arquivo Nacional Torre do Tombo).
Two quarters of the moon.
Hidden at everyone's sight, they were sculpted in the same decade the Inquisition started as an institution in Portugal.
Actual picture taken - during the day - from the night walk (The Inquisition's Hand in Sintra) route.
Photographer credits: Miguel Boim.
Sintra's Castle with a full moon behind it.
What was the Castle's relation with the legislation and with the main law enforcement official in the village?
Actual picture taken from the night walk (The Inquisition's Hand in Sintra) route.
Photographer credits: Miguel Boim.
«Ireceive the justice libel. A. The accused can contest and upon arrival must he come with his defense until Monday.»
Was he able to do so? The Inquisition processes are made of hundreds of pages, but you will get to know only the
most important and interesting - and bizarre - parts.
From an Inquisition process present in Arquivo Nacional Torre do Tombo.
A foggy night in a place which used to be a plantation field in the past that holded different configurations of the Inquisition.
And a triumphal arch that will help you to go deeper in one specific Inquisition process..
Actual picture taken from the night walk (The Inquisition's Hand in Sintra) route.
Photographer credits: Pedro Grilo.
Miguel Boim talking for a group in one walk/tour night.
Actual picture taken from the night walk (The Inquisition's Hand in Sintra) route.
Photographer credits: Frederico Santos.
A place everyone desires to visit nowadays.
Regaleira, when it was already know for its regalos (delights) of nature. And why is it here mentioned? You'll understand it.
Engraving from the 1820's.
«...And his family, residents in the same place at Cais do Sodré, and he [denunciator] have always heard the he and his family were Protestants, and it seems like they live accordingly; and he [denunciator] declares also that his daughters have been abroad for a season, and when they arrived, he, witness, had the notice of where they had been...»
Amidst the very complex language of the Inquisition's processes, we can see another form of accusation. And in this case it also relates with Sintra. But the most interesting part is far from this complex language and from this primary denunciator.
From an Inquisition process present in Arquivo Nacional Torre do Tombo.
A door which is not a door.
Although it resembles an ancient period (16th century), it is more recent, having behind it, in the propertie's past, traces from a new form of inquisition.
Actual picture taken (during the day) from the night walk (The Inquisition's Hand in Sintra) route.
Photographer credits: Miguel Boim
Prices / Booking
your cicerone:
the author and researcher
Miguel Boim
lectures and speeches on Sintra's history to more than 12K people - as to 2018 data
in this video of the portuguese channel dedicated to culture, Miguel Boim
gives body to Süskind's walker, Mr. Sommer
the presentation of the book Sintra Lendária, in the Grémio Literário, by Basílio Horta, Mayor of Sintra Municipality
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Miguel Boim being received by the students of a school in the Municipality of Sintra
second edition of Miguel Boim and Sintra's iconic book Sinta Lendária, with a deep and heartful insight on the side of History which resembles the same enchantment of legends and tales
The Inquisition's Hand in Sintra
night walk
1 person: 150€ (total)*
for one person, dinner with Miguel Boim in a more traditional (and less touristic) place is included
in the price
2 persons: 160€ (total)*
3 persons: 225€ (total)*
4 persons: 280€ (total)*
5 persons: 320€ (total)*
6 to 10 persons: 55€ per person*
* all values are taxes declared
This thematic walk need to be confirmed (paid, with the confirmation of the transaction) until 3 days before the date in which it will be made. In order to have your walk guaranteed it is advisable to book in the most advance you can, due to Miguel Boim schedule.
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On Trust and Safety
Code of Conduct
No smoking or making noise.
It is forbidden to take species of fauna, flora, or geological ones.
Please stay close to the person who is guiding the group, avoiding to be absent without previous communication, in any circumstance.
Safety
The personal data is necessary for insurance purposes as well as to fully accomplish with the legislation of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
It is necessary to provide data from third parties (close relatives or others, from the country of origin of the participants).
Minimum age: from 12/14 years of age, according to what specified in each theme.
By booking this activity you assume that your health conditions are perfect for walking (having in mind the ups and downs of the route) between 200 and 470 meters above sea level for around 4 hours.
It is necessary to specify medication a participant is taking and which can be relevant for his health condition when not taken.
This activity fully accomplishes with the required by law and fulfills the payment of the taxes implied by law.
It is necessary that the participants proceed accordingly to what stated by the guide in the briefing as well as during the activity, as well as to what may be requested by any element of portuguese authority, of those which patrol the mountains at night: the National Guard Republican (G.N.R.), security of Parques de Sintra Monte da Lua (in SUV or on foot), Portuguese Army (in SUV or on foot), Civil Protection (in SUV or on foot), ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e Florestas (in SUV or on foot). It is important to keep these elements in mind to know to who should you provide your idenfication if needed.
You may ask for advice on safety in general as well as related to rented vehicles (special attention in this regard) and possible pickpockets (during the day and in crowded places).
For Your Comfort
Do not hesitate to ask questions before the tour and as well as during the tour; it is very important that you can notice the pretended transparency.
Proper footwear and clothing (you'll be advised on the best of both, according to the time of year and near the date weather conditions).
Start time can be exact as well as end time; but please notice that the end time can be inaccurate - if not otherwise strictly required.
The option for dinner in one person tour is to be taken in a non-tourist restaurant, with a liter drink, main plate, dessert, and coffee.
Groups with two people up have no meal included.
You can inquire where the best place to have your meals.
Information on how to avoid tourist crowds during the day in Sintra can be requested.
If desired, pick up and deliver in Lisbon can be required beforehand, having the extra cost of 200€ - not included in the given price - for every 4 people.
Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellations with partial refund of the money (70% of the total amount) are possible if made until 72 hours before the begining of the activity.
The partial refund of the money can take up to 7 days after the date of the activity.
In case of rain the activity will be maintained; in case of warning (Aviso) or alert (Alerta) by the authorities (Civil Protection, ICNF) the activity will be canceled with the consequent refund of the amount paid (100%).
The Village and the Mountains in the begining of
one foggy night, by Miguel Boim
legal notice: rnaat 1808/2017