Sintra: Quinta da Regaleira and the Templars

Palácio da Pena (Pena Palace)

Â Sintra Palace was the summer residence of the kings and of the Moorish lords of Lisbon. Palácio da Pena, the best preserved mediaeval Royal Palace in Portugal. Sintra is a tourist attraction for people from all around the world and is a part of the World Heritage

The Palace was built in 1839, when the King Consort Dom Fernando II (the German husband of the Queen Maria II) bought the ruins of the Hieronymite Monastery. It is located at a height of 1500 m on one of the rocky peaks of the Serra de Sintra and offers a wonderful romantic view from the city.

The Palace was inspired by the German castles but mixed with Moorish, Gothic, Arabic and Manueline styles. It has 2 chimneys, 33 m high each, which are the most characteristic feature of the town. The interior has the oldest collection of glazed tiles, made in the 15 and 16 centuries. Many of its rooms take names after the motives painted in their ceilings at the Swans Room, the Magpie Room, the Mermaids Room, the Cresta Room, the Room of the Sirens and etc

Quinta da Regaleira description

Located in the Old Quarter of Sintra and classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, the Quinta da Regaleira is one of these special places. Built at the turn of the 20th century in the romantic ideal, this fascinating ensemble of constructions which have been built in the middle of the dense forest is the result of the achieving of mythical magical dreams.

The imagination succeeded in achieving the revivalist sum of the most varied artistic trends - with particular reference to the Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance and the glorification of all things held sacred by humankind and particularly reflecting on Portuguese mythological and esoteric traditions.

Visitors should stroll through the exotic, fabulous spirituality park, feel the of the first Christians in the Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity, which allows us to descend into the crypt which reminds us of the symbolism of the sacred place and the world beyond.
It must be experienced firsthand, the scenography of its gardens and buildings must be seen and admired as should the Palácio dos Milhões, a true of philosophy inspired by alchemy.

There is also a vast ensemble of turrets providing us with breathtaking views, strange recesses - half myth half saudade (missing), palace type residences of superb taste. Reference must be made to the adventures of the Knights of the Temple or the ideals of the master Masons, to descend into the initiation well via an immense spiral shaped staircase. And down below, standing on a light pointed star it is as if we were immersed in the womb of Mother Earth. All we must do is traverse the darkness of the labyrinth grottos until we reach the light, reflected in the water of lakes of surprising beauty.

Rua Barbosa du Bocage, 2710-567 Sintra
Opening hours: Jan, Nov, Dec: 10.00 -17.30
Last entry - 17.00
Feb, March, April, Oct: 10.00 - 18.30
Last entry - 18.00
May, June, July, August e Sept: 10.00 - 20.00
Last entry - 19.00
Guided tours - advance booking: Tel: 21 910 6650

more information at: Quinta da Regaleira website:

The Moorish Castle description

Originally, the Castle of Sintra was built by the Moors, possibly between the 9th and 10th centuries. Arab chronicles depict the Sintra region as being very rich in cultivated fields. Its castle was one of the most important in the surroundings. In 1147, after the conquest of Lisbon by King Afonso Henriques, the Moorish garrison of the castle surrendered to the Christians without resistance. Afonso Henriques promoted the development of the region by granting a foral (letter of feudal rights) to the inhabitants of Sintra and its castle in 1154. During the reign of King Sancho I the castle was repaired, as well as the romanesque Church of Saint Peter, (Igreja de São Pedro) inside its walls.

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Sintra’s Historical Centre/Vila Velha developed during the Moorish era. The old nucleus grew into an irregular urban mesh .

At that time, the Vila Velha was divided into quarters and religious communities, as exemplified by the areas allocated to Moors and Jews. Traces of this past can still be found in the names of some streets and squares. The religious, political and administrative structures were then consolidated, and represented by the Parish Church of São Martinho, the Synagogue, the Town Hall and, slightly later, the Royal Palace.

The 1755 earthquake upset the natural evolution of the Vila. The violence of its effect made it necessary, as in Lisbon, to reconstruct a large part of the Vila Velha, for many of its buildings were completely or partially destroyed, as in the case of the Church of São Martinho. There were, therefore, some alterations to the traditional urban fabric.