SINTRA, PORTUGAL. This Palace in Sintra is stunning, and Sintra is worth visiting if only to see it in person. With its bright colors and breathtaking views, and its preserved interior and collection of artifacts, this palace is a one of a kind.
Gate to the Palace | Robert Persky
You follow a path that is already established, which brings you through the different parts of the palace. Each room is decorated to look the way it once looked, and a lot of original furniture remains inside. After walking through the palace, which I would say takes a minimum of an hour, there is a café on the premises which allows you to get a coffee or snack and take in the amazing view.
The palace is in the Romanticist style with Moorish influence, and it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was originally a chapel and monastery from the Middle Ages that was destroyed by the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake. The building was then acquired by Ferdinand 2 who decided to turn it into a summer residence for the Portuguese Royal Family. He chose the German architect Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege to build the palace, who had experience building castles in Germany. Construction finished in 1847. The palace was purchased by the Portuguese government and turned into a national monument and museum in 1910.
Edge on the Hill | Robert Persky
On the way up to the palace, you get great views of the Castle of the Moors, which is very close. The palace is also connected to a park that is huge, containing more than 200 hectares. The park has a diverse collection of trees and plants from around the world, and many trails to walk through.
Tickers for the palace and the park are 14.00 euros for adults and 11.00 euros for youths younger than 18 years old. Sintra is 45 minutes away from Lisbon on the train.
I would recommend getting a ride to the palace, be it by taxi or bus. Otherwise, you have to walk up a large steep hill. If you have time, check out the other amazing palaces and sites in Sintra. Also, walk through the historical center with its narrow streets, and try Sintra’s famous pastries.
Pena National Palace
Estrada da Pena
2710-609 Sintra, Portugal
http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/parques-jardins-e-monumentos/parque-e-palacio-nacional-da-pena/
Tel. +351 21 923 7300
Hours: 9:45 am – 7:00 pm
Inside Courtyard | Robert Persky
Preserved Interior | Robert Persky
View from the Hill | Robert Persky