Sines

Sines overlooks a bay on Portugal's Atlantic coast, protected by a castle whose construction was tied to the town's privileges. In 1362 Pedro I raised Sines to town status on condition that its inhabitants continue building the castle walls. By 1480 its governor Estêvão da Gama had made improvements for both defense and his family's accommodation. His son Vasco da Gama spent his childhood at Sines before commanding the voyage that opened a sea route from Portugal to India.