“Sintra, glorious Eden, perhaps in every respect, is the most delightful in Europe.”
Lord Byron
The former summer residence of the king of Portugal, Sintra is now an astonishing and fascinating place to visit and admire the great and impressive history of the country. Being the pride of Portugal, Sintra is where visitors will find green wonderful forests and mystical mountains, extravagant villas and fairytale places and museum collections taking you to the bosom of centuries. It’s hard to believe the human imagination could create such an incredible masterpiece.
Pena Palace
One of the most popular places in Sintra is the uniquely-decorated Pena Palace — a magic gift from a German aristocrat to his Portuguese wife, Queen Maria II. Boasting of alluring gardens and unbelievably beautiful lakes, the fantastic Pena Palace is a perfect place for gatherings and nice picnics. It gives a unique opportunity to enjoy all the wonders of Mother Nature. Right on the top of the park the magic beauty of Pena Palace is spread with its colorful appearances and monsters standing on the doorstep of the palace to protect it. The rooms of the palace are embellished with luxurious decorations of Victorian and Edwardian furnishing, including accessories and ornaments of the royal family. In the big halls visitors can see portraits of Portuguese kings and queens and marvel at the astounding art-solutions of the artists.
National Palace
National Palace is another famous building in Sintra, dating back to the 14th century. Situated in the main square, National Palace is a fusion of Gothic, Moorish and Manueline styles. The two huge chimneys of the Palace, standing like its defenders, are the most visible point in the town. Inside, there are elaborated rooms with collections of colorful paintings and different art values, such as fascinating statues and unimaginable sculptures. The best-known room is “Magpie Room” named so after the birds that have decorated the ceiling. Also interesting are the Royal room of King John I, the very large kitchen where 1000 dinners can be served and the “romantic” chapter, where poet Camoes read his poems for the King.
La Quinta da Regaleria
Unusual buildings in Sintra are just the main features of this surprising place. The fantastic La Quinta da Regaleria (Regaleria Estate), called “The palace of millions” is one of them, where you should concentrate not to miss any detail. Gothic and Renaissance are the dominating styles in this building, its felt both from the interior and the exterior. The property is sprawling with beautiful towers, fountains and fervid gardens full of various mythological things symbolizing the “rebirth,” add to this, spectacularly beautiful flowers and trees that make the visitors feel in Heaven.
If you happen to visit Lisbon, don’t hesitate to visit this alluring fairyland, which can indeed be considered one of the miracles of Europe.
