Sintra, castles in the air

An October 1992 trip to Sintra by Adelaide

Castle of the Moors Photo - Castelo Dos Mouros - Castle of the Moors, Sintra, Portugal

Quote: Sintra and its palaces were the highlight of my trip to Portugal. The city is located on the mountains, just 1 1/2h by train from Lisbon's Rossio station.

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Sintra, castles in the air

Overview

Quote:

Its main attractions are the Palácio Nacional and the Palácio da Pena, but the city itself is very nice, with narrow steep streets in which you often find restaurants and souvenir shops.

Quick Tips:

For more information and images, check my Travel Notes: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/4363/travnote/

Best Way To Get Around:

Downtown Sintra can be covered on foot, but to reach Pena Palace a taxi is required.

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Pena Park

Attraction

Quote:

Part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Pena Park cover 200ha of land around Pena Palace. The consort king Fernando II of Saxe Coburg-Gotha had trees and other plants brought to this area during the 19th century from many parts of the world. Cool and shady trails, waterfalls and benches, plus a historical background, make this park a very prized attraction.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 16, 2000

Pena Park
Estrada da Pena
Sintra, Portugal

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Palacio Nacional Da Pena - National Palace

Attraction | "Pena Palace"

Quote:

Pena Palace is outstanding. On top of Sintra's highest hill, it was built in the 19th century by Ferdinand of Saxe Coburg-Gotha, husband of Queen Maria II. He brought an architect from his homeland Bavaria to create this extravagant mixture of styles, in which Romantic prevails - it is the most complete and notable example of Portuguese architecture in this period, built over the ruins of the former Monastery of Nossa Senhora da Pena.
Admission 400 escudos. Closed on Mondays.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 16, 2000

Palacio Nacional Da Pena - National Palace
Pena Park
Sintra, Portugal

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Palacio Nacional Da Pena - National Palace

Attraction | "National Palace"

Quote:

The National Palace, in downtown Sintra, was formerly a residence of the royal family and, before them, of the Muslim regional governors.
Many of its rooms are decorated with painted tiles, a Portuguese tradition. From the outside, the kitchen chimneys call attention for their height.
It was built mainly in the 15th and 16th centuries and mixes Moorish, Gothic and Manueline styles.
Closed on Wednesdays.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 16, 2000

Palacio Nacional Da Pena - National Palace
Pena Park
Sintra, Portugal

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Castelo Dos Mouros - Castle of the Moors

Attraction | "Castelo dos Mouros"

Quote:

Viewed from Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors was built in the 8th or 9th century on the Sierra of Sintra. It was conquered by Dom Afonso Henriques in 1147 and later restored by the consort King Fernando of Saxe Coburg-Gotha. Like in Spain, the Moors influenced Portugal's architecture and language.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 16, 2000

Castelo Dos Mouros - Castle of the Moors
Estrada da Pena
Sintra, Portugal