Sintra - A glorious Eden

The upper gate of the Castle of Moors leads the road up to Pena, opposite the lower entrance to Parque da Pena. The Palace of Pena is entered through an impressive stretch of gardens with lakes and follies; a great place for a picnic or a stroll. At the top of the Park is fabulous Palace of Pena, a Disney-esque Palace within its pink, yellow, grey and red silhouette and with monsters guarding doorways. Built in 1840s by German architect Baron Eschwege to the specifications of Dom Fernidand of Saxe- Coburg- Gotha, this fabulous Palace served as a love nest for him and his wife Queen Maria II.

The interior of Palace is no less surprising. The rooms are full of imaginative ornate and in some cases suffocatingly detailed.

The terraces of Pena Palace have a spectacular view over Atlantic and Lisbon.

Situated in the historical center of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira is classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO. This magnificent estate is designed by an Italian architect Luigi Manini for wealthy Brazilian merchant António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro at the turn of 20th century. Having worked in at Scala in Milan, Manini's work is a mixture of Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance with sprouts turrets and towers and impressive Art Nouveau tiles. The surrounding gardens host fountains, terraces, lakes with the attraction of being the Initiation Well inspired by the practices of the Freemasons and the Knights Templar. Full of symbolic beauties and mystery Quinta da Regaleira is a must-see!

"Lo! Cintra's glorious Eden intervenes
In variegated maze of mount and glen.
Ah me! what hand can pencil guide, or pen,
To follow half on which the eye dilates
Through views more dazzling unto mortal ken
Than those whereof such things the bard relates,
Who to the awe-struck world unlocked Elysium's gates?

(Lord Byron on Sintra)

Conquered in 1147 by Afonso Henriques for the Christians, the Castle was a major victory in the reconquest of Portugal. Today the Castle is in ruins, although it was restored in mid- nineteenth century, and offers spectacular views to its visitors from Ponte 25 de Abril to Arrabida, Cascais to Cabo da Rocha, Peniche and the Berlenga islands.

Known also as Paço Real and Royal Palace, Palacio Nacional was built I in the 14th century by Dom João who lived in the Palace with his wife Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt.

Served as a summer house for Portuguese Kings since the early 14th century, the Palace's design became more and more haphazard as new wings added over the centuries. The exterior style is a mixture of Gothic and the Manueline with a good deal of Moorish influence adapted over the centuries. The resulting interiors are also remarkable, including some of the oldest and the most valuable tiles in Portugal.

Today the Palace is a museum and is best seen early or late in the day to avoid curious crowds.

Every room in Palacio Nacional has a different story, which will make your visit even more interesting. Your visit will start with the kitchens having their roofs tapering into the huge chimneys, which distinguish the palace's exterior. Then you will head to the upper floor and discover the first story. Alongside the gallery above the Palace chapel is the room where Afonso VI was confined for six years by his brother Pedro II and where he eventually died. The myth is that the worn floor is a result of his constant pacing up and down.

Beyond the gallery is Sala das Armas, Its ceiling is emblazoned with the arms of 72 noble families.
Attractions in the lower floors include Manueline Sala das Cisnes and Sala das Pegas, which takes its name from the flock of magpies. Painted with 136 of the birds, each bearing a rose and a scroll named 'Por bem'. The story goes that when Queen Philippa wasn't looking, Dom Joao I offered a rose to a lady-in-waiting and a magpie snatched it. The King excused himself by saying 'Por bem' ' All to do good'.