Sintra Mountains writer and history researcher
author of Sintra Lendária - Histórias e Lendas do Monte da Lua (on its 7th edition)
also known as Caminheiro de Sintra (Sintra's Wanderer)
Miguel Boim
Miguel Boim ~ O Caminheiro de Sintra
writer, local history researcher
BIOGRAPHY
Miguel Boim was born in Lisbon in August 1978 and grew up on Rua dos Fanqueiros, in the heart of the Baixa Pombalina, rebuilt after the Great Earthquake of 1755.
In his adolescence, he moved to the municipality of Sintra, a time when he began spending solitary days and nights in the Sintra Mountains, thus gaining experience in nighttime exploration of the Mountains.
In one of his lectures. Credits: CNE - Núcleo Serra da Lua.
April 2016
Upon reaching adulthood, he enrolled in a Psychology degree at the University of Algarve. However, he later changed paths when, in 2007, he began writing about his experiences in the Sintra Mountains in a blog he named "O Caminheiro de Sintra" ("The Sintra Wanderer"), a pseudonym he would use from then on in his publications about the Old Town and the Mountains. Writing these memories led him to historical research on the Monte da Lua — which he had begun in his teenage years — initially focusing on Sintra’s legends and later expanding to cover its history from the late 19th century backwards.
At Lisbon's Book Fair.
June 2017
Since then, he has published over a hundred articles online about the history and legends of Sintra, also contributing to works by various authors. His first book, "Contos de Sintra" ("Sintra Tales"), a work of fiction, was published in 2011, followed by his second book in 2014 — after receiving an invitation from Zéfiro Publishing — titled "Sintra Lendária – Histórias e Lendas do Monte da Lua" ("Legendary Sintra – Stories and Legends of the Mountain of the Moon"), which focused on historical research and is currently in its seventh edition.
In the Sintra Mountains, 1990's.
In 2013, he began writing scripts and leading interpretative tours for Portuguese audiences, drawing on both Sintra’s history and culture as well as his own experiences of the area’s daytime and nighttime natural landscapes from his youth. During this period, he formed partnerships with Casa do Fauno and other cultural and tourism institutions and businesses.
With Nuno Vicente and Jorge Menezes.
Credis: Lígia Cabral
Spring of 2015
He has since become a true storyteller of History. In addition to his nighttime and thematic walking tours in Portuguese, he has been a frequent presence in Sintra’s schools, raising awareness of the region’s tangible and intangible heritage among students through his project "As Lendas de Sintra e os Ratos de Biblioteca" ("The Legends of Sintra and the Bookworms"), carried out in collaboration with the Sintra Council. The project positively surprised both teachers and students alike. In 2015, he was also invited to act as a content consultant for the multinational advertising agency J.W. Thompson on the project for the Museum / Sintra Myths and Legends Interactive Centre.
The students of the Ruy Belo School (Monte Abraão) welcoming Miguel Boim,
in the course of the project The Legends of Sintra and the Bookworms,
supported by the Sintra Council.
Credits: Teresa Sobral
March 2017
Also in 2015, he began contributing to the historic "Jornal de Sintra", a newspaper in which notable cultural figures such as José Pedro Machado and Agostinho da Silva had also written in the past. He continues to publish monthly articles on the legendary history of Sintra.
The Sintra Myths and Legends Museum / Interactive Centre, in the old town.
Due to his deep knowledge of foreign travelers’ accounts of Sintra, in 2017, he was invited to contribute to the book "Mafra Sacra", which celebrated the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the Mafra Palace and Convent. This book was published under the high patronage of the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
A memory from the release of "Sintra Lendária", which was made at Grémio Literário de Lisboa (a literary group composed in the year 1856) and presented by the Mayor of Sintra, Basílio Horta.
From left to right: Basílio Horta, Mayor of Sintra; Miguel Boim; Alexandre Gabriel, Zéfiro's editor-in-chief. Credits: Grémio Literário.
March 2015
Over the years, he has also participated in various cultural projects, created new initiatives to promote Sintra’s legendary history (including a digital magazine and podcasts), and appeared in several documentaries and television programs.
Miguel Boim giving a lecture at the University of Évora for
Literature bachelor's and master's degree students.
March 2025
In 2025, after years dedicated to writing a new book on magic and superstition in Sintra’s past, he publishes "Fantasmas da História de Sintra - das crónicas aos mistérios: a magia nas antigas lendas da Serra" ("Ghosts of Sintra’s History – From Chronicles to Mysteries: Magic in the Ancient Legends of the Mountains") with Zéfiro Publishing. At the same time, Zéfiro publishes his first book, "Contos de Sintra", for the first time under its imprint.
Miguel Boim in the filming of the french documentary
"Le Mont de la Lune".
April 2024
➤ On RTP2
bringing Mr. Sommer to life
Giving body to the reading of excerpts from "The Story of Mr. Sommer" by Patrick Süskind (best known for "Perfume") on the program "Literatura Aqui".
The excerpts were read, as usual, by Pedro Lamares and Filipa Leal.
➤ On SIC
on the show "Boa Cama Boa Mesa"
A brief appearance on SIC's "Boa Cama Boa Mesa", hosted by Martim Cabral, once again sharing fascinating stories from Sintra’s past.
➤ On Rádio Renascença
live on the show "As Três da Manhã"
A live segment on the program "As Três da Manhã" (hosted by Ana Galvão, Joana Marques, and Inês Gonçalves), discussing the Sintra Mountains.
➤ On TVI
on "Jornal Nacional", at the Convent of the Capuchos
A brief appearance on TVI’s "Jornal Nacional" in a report filmed at the Convent of the Capuchos in the Sintra Mountains.