Pena Palace

Sintra is a dream, a fairy-tale place where every small and large corner tells its own story. Every building has its own soul and every street is destined to lose itself in beauty. It lies less than an hour from Lisbon and is a blend of history, nature, mystery and art. What does it mean to visit Sintra? It means entering a world suspended between reality and fantasy.

The symbol that represents Sintra is the Palacio Nacional da Pena (National Palace of Pena), which looms over the entire region from the heights of the Serra. The effect its view has is truly hard to put into words: yellow domes, scarlet walls, towers that rise up as if to touch the sky with a fingertip, while Moorish ornaments coexist in a synchrony of colours that trace the threads of a dream. Its construction dates back to the nineteenth century, on the ruins of an old monastery, and it is a true masterpiece of Portuguese Romanticism. It was commissioned by Ferdinand II as a summer residence for the royal family.

The palace contains a mix of different styles, both architectural and artistic. It starts from the Gothic and then moves through Manueline influences to the Renaissance and Moorish. Despite the many different stylistic nuances, everything comes together with remarkable harmony. The visitor who finds themselves walking through its halls will have the impression of leafing through the pages of an illustrated novel, with period furnishings, paintings, multicoloured glass and breathtaking panoramic views.

Unmissable is the Parque da Pena, a large romantic garden where winding little lanes, hidden lakes, giant ferns and centuries-old trees frame a setting that is almost fantasy-like. The Palacio da Pena is a fairy-tale castle, while Quinta da Regaleira is an adventure inside symbolism dense with esotericism. Its construction is owed to Monteiro between 1904 and 1910, in collaboration with the architect Manini. They brought to life an evocative villa with eclectic tones, which unfolds in a labyrinth of concepts related to the era of the Templars as well as to Freemasonry.

The protagonist of this location, however, is the garden, with caves, fountains, mysterious statues and the Initiatory Well. It is a spiral staircase that symbolises an “initiatory” path from death to rebirth. A place that certainly does not leave anyone indifferent.

Then there is the historic centre, animated by cobblestone streets and cafés filled with the scent of typical pastries called travesseiros. Here rises the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, recognisable for its two huge white conical towers. It is a royal palace that has been exceptionally well preserved and was once the favourite residence of various kings. Inside the palace you can find sumptuous rooms such as the Sala dos Brasoes, adorned with as many as 72 noble coats of arms, or the Sala dos Cisnes; they tell the story of the luxury of a bygone era. The architectural style is a melting pot of Gothic, Mudejar and Manueline influences.

Immersed in the misty vegetation of the Serra, a short distance from the palace, stand the remains of the Castelo dos Mouros, an ancient fortress built by the Moors in the ninth century. From here, Sintra can be contemplated in all its splendour on the clearest days. A location that conveys a sense of peace, offering a mystical silence. Ideal for those who love history, but also for those who prefer spectacular views.

A break in the historic centre of Sintra is a must, among pastel-coloured houses, artisan workshops and classic taverns. You absolutely must try the travesseiros, typical puff pastries filled with almond cream, as well as the queijadas, small cakes made with cinnamon and fresh cheese. Among the drinks, there is ginjinha, a delicious cherry liqueur often served in small chocolate cups.

Another attraction to visit is the Palacio de Monserrate, a triumph of romantic orientalism. The palace is surrounded by an exemplary botanical garden, perfect for anyone who wants to walk amidst an architectural style that recalls Indian, Gothic and Persian atmospheres. Time seems to stop and stretch here, because it is perhaps the quietest palace compared to the other, more crowded sites in Sintra. Its calm is pure magic. A dreamlike location that you do not simply visit, but where you breathe and live a second life.