Sintra, with its exhuberant
forests and mild encompassing plain, has been the favourite summer
vacation place for kings and Portuguese aristocrates and many notorious
foreigners for centuries. It is a lush sea of natural green beauty
adored by the Romans during their occupation, a fortified village in
the wars between Spaniards, Moors and Lusitanians but to later be coverted
into hunting grounds in the calmer 13th and 14th centuries. Being as
it is only 32 kilometers from Lisbon, it has shared all the ups and
downs that Sintra Portugal history have gone through. Sintra belongs
to the district of Lisbon in the community called Extremadura. Thanks
to the UNESCO, in 1995, Sintra was declared a World heritage and protected
tourist spot.
The principal attraction for Sintra holidays is, without a doubt,
the Royal Palace or now known as the national palace, dating back
to the 14th c. built by Joao I and continued on until King Manuel
I. It is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., everyday
for a small entrance fee. In the heart of the Vila Velha ( Old Beautiful
Village), set on a platform on the hillside, the National Palace
comes into view. As you slide up the magestic stairways, our eyes
are open wide to Gothic archways, Morisco windows and two conical
chimneys. The hall of Coats of Arms where 72, now 71 coats of arms
from 1515 are painted on the ceiling is eye-catching. The one which
is no longer there is because the Tavora family was declared traitors
against King Jose I in 1758. Also the hall of Two Arabs, with a marble
fountain and Moorish tiles from the 15th c. are beautiful.
The Castelo da pena ( Pena Castle) is seen as if it were a romantic
medieval fort sitting on top of the mountain, easily reached by carriage
due to the rocky roads and dense forest. These carriages can be rented
from the patio area at the national Palace. As far as its architecture
is concerned, it has such a mixture of styles and influences that
we will say that the best part is the scenic view of the park with
its lakes and black swans, thick wooded area and tiled fountains.
The park can be visited from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and the palace
from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p-m- for a small fee.
On the other hill a few kilometers away, we have a peculiar
Covento Dos Capuchos, a 16th c. monastery, totally made of
stone and cork. It is said that the monks used the cork to
sound proof their cells even though they were in the middle
of a forest where only the songs of the birds were heard. But
it was probably used against the humidity. The natural vegetation
which was swept away by natural phenomenons has been replaced
by over 2000 varieties of exotic species coming from four continents,
altogether in such a reduced space.
On the highest
point, we see the High Cross and the Monument to the Guardian of
the Palace depicted with medieval armour as if it were Ludwig von
Eschwege, the Prusian architect who made it. Starting in 1840,
it took over 45 years to finish this royal summer residence. When
asked about the architectural value and impact, there are two very
distinct opinions: some feel that the mixture of Gothis, Renaissance,
Egyptian, manuelino, Moorish and Oriental are overpowering and
others feel it is an unimaginable wonder! The exterior is charcterised
by ´Gemini´ or
double windows, all framed in different and original ways;
vegetables, animals, gargoyles, Rosicrucian ( masonic symbols)
and last minute details of colours which make this castle
look like something from Disney. The interior gives the impression
that the last kings who lived there are still there, as we
see a table set for 12 in the dining room and other every
day details. In the same park is the Castle dos Mouros from the
12th and 13th c. Its position a craggy cliff on the hill
and curiosties in the decoration make the visit well worth it.
Among all the
ordinary museums of Art and History, we come across the Museu do
Brinquedo ( Toy Museum) with over 30.000 toys from the 16th c.
to the 20th.c taking us back to memorable times.
Sintra Portugal
history
Pure Sintra
Portugal history is relived in the palace de Seteais or Seven Sighs
palace. It was built in the 18th c. by a Dutch diamond businessman
and reconverted into one of the main hotels in Sintra in 1954.
Here, in 1808-09, the Convention of Sintra was signed, giving free
access to the French to leave Portugal even though they were completely
surrounded by the British. There are many manors to be visited, each
one having their own elegance and history.
To be well rested, there are many hotel in Sintra. In the center
city is the famous Tivoli Sintra Hotel, with a very modern air,
refreshing and inspirational views from their balconies and all the
luxurious amenities for this class hotel. Or other centrally located
5 star hotels with cozy hospitality and tradition. If you wish to
have more land and gardens to stroll around on, there are fabulous
hotels around Sintra to satisfy these needs. Some 4 star hotels in
and around here are palaces and private estates with unique period
furniture and exquisite cuisine, gazing through arched windows as
you dine.
For being just a little town, or maybe a small city, Sintra has
not been overlooked or shaded out by the fascinating capital city
of Lisbon.
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