What to see in Sintra, how to save on tickets. Portugal - Sintra, National Palace Sintra National
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National Palace Sintra, also known as the City Palace, is easy to recognize from a distance: its snow-white building is distinguished by two tall, elongated and smooth twin cones. Many believe that this medieval royal palace is the best preserved of all others in Portugal. The reason for this was that the palace was more or less constantly inhabited at least since the beginning of the 15th century. until the end of the 19th century.
The history of the palace dates back to the Moorish era, which began after the Umayyad conquest of Spain in the 8th century. There were then two castles in Sintra: one, the current Moorish Castle, on the hill and the second below it. This second served as the residence of the Moorish rulers of the region. In the 12th century Sintra was captured by King Alfonso Enrique, who took the lower palace for his own use. Subsequently, in the 15th and 16th centuries, the palace was rebuilt many times, which left its mark on the Gothic, Manueline, Moorish and Mudejar elements that can be admired here today.
The National Palace was included in the UNESCO List of sites World Heritage. Currently, the palace operates as a historical house-museum.
Nothing remains in the palace from the original buildings of the Moorish era or the reign of the first Portuguese kings. The oldest parts of it that have survived to this day probably date back to the beginning of the 14th century. Most of it dates from the reign of King John I, who began and financed large-scale construction work around 1415. Most of the buildings around the central courtyard ("Ala Joanina" - "John's Wing") date from this period, including the main building with a facade decorated with arches and windows with a mullion, as well as those same two cones.
The two cones of the National Palace that dominate the cityscape are nothing more than kitchen chimneys.
In the interior of the palace, much has also been preserved from the beginning of the 15th century. These are the Swan Hall in the Manueline style, so named for the rich painting on the ceiling, the Hall of the Forty (“Zala das Pegasus”) and the Arabian Hall.
Associated with Hall forty interesting legend. It says that King John I was caught red-handed by his wife while he was kissing her maid of honor. To put an end to magpie gossip, the monarch ordered that as many magpies as there were women in the castle be depicted on the ceiling and friezes of the hall.
The second wave of construction swept the palace in the 15th and 16th centuries, under King Manuel I. It was the government of this monarch that was marked by the flowering of the Gothic-Renaissance Manueline style, as well as the revival of Mudejar with its multi-colored mosaic tiles, which was reflected in the appearance of the corresponding wing of the palace. It was built to the right of the main façade and decorated with typical Manueline windows. The king also built the Armorial Hall with an amazing wooden ceiling, on which 72 coats of arms of the royal family and other noble families of the country were placed.
In subsequent periods, the kings lived in the palace intermittently, and each one added something to the furniture, paintings and other decorative elements. In 1755 architectural ensemble suffered from an earthquake, but was restored to its original form. In addition, in 1940, the restoration of the palace was carried out by Raul Lino, who tried to return it to its former greatness, bringing here antique furniture from other palaces and restoring all the mosaics.
Practical information
You can get to the palace from the railway station by Scotturb buses No. 434 and 435.
Opening hours: 9:30 - 19:00.
Admission: for adults (18-64 years old) - 10 EUR, for children 6-17 years old and pensioners over 65 years old - 8.50 EUR.
Prices on the page are as of September 2018.
The Portuguese town of Sintra consists of magnificent palaces, exotic parks and picturesque natural landscapes. It's a stone's throw from here famous cape Rock and national park Sintra-Cascais. The city is 27 km away. from the Portuguese capital, so getting there is quite easy.
In Sintra there are more mild climate due to the proximity of the ocean, a calmer and more peaceful atmosphere, and the abundance historical monuments and the large flow of tourists does not seem to disturb the peaceful flow of provincial life at all. Since the 12th century, the city has been the summer residence of the Portuguese aristocracy. People came here to enjoy nature and clean sea air, think about the meaning of life and calm their nerves.
The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles/day
What to see and where to go in Sintra?
The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.
In the 16th century, on the site of the palace stood a monastery, built in honor of the birth of the heir to King Manuel I. But the monastery was destroyed as a result of the earthquake of 1755. Only the chapel and the altar survived. In 1840, a palace began to be built on the site of the ruins, which was later used as a royal residence. Architectural complex surrounded by a magnificent landscaped park with exotic vegetation.
The palace complex was erected under the ruler Joan I in the 14th century and rebuilt in a pseudo-Moorish style under Manuel I. The walls of the building are decorated with unique Seville tiles of the 15th-16th centuries. The interior decoration of the palace is quite modest; the carved wooden ceilings, made in the Arabic style, are of particular interest. The complex was declared a national monument at the beginning of the 20th century.
A park complex with a neo-Gothic palace, one of the most visited attractions in Portugal. Previously, the estate belonged to a member of the Masonic lodge and millionaire Monteiro. According to his idea, the architecture of the palace and park design should have corresponded to his philosophical ideas about life. As a result, a project was implemented that mixed styles, unusual fantasies and the whims of an eccentric freemason.
In the park of the Quinta da Regaleira complex there is amazing place, which is wildly popular among tourists. This is a wide well, a stone “underground tower” with stairs and arches, built in accordance with the ideas of Masonic teaching about the structure of the Universe. “The Well of Initiation” is an allegorical staircase connecting heaven and earth; at the bottom a person remains in darkness, and at the top he experiences the light and goodness of spiritual knowledge.
The castle stands on the top of the Serra da Sintra and is surrounded by a picturesque landscaped park. The structure was erected in the 8th century, when the entire Iberian Peninsula was under the rule of Arab conquerors. In the 12th century, the fortification went to the Portuguese. Until the complete expulsion of the Moors, the castle performed defensive functions. After the earthquake of 1755, the building lay in ruins for a long time; restoration took place in the 19th century, but the castle lost its historical appearance.
The history of the building goes back several centuries, the last serious restoration took place in the middle XIX century commissioned by the English industrialist and millionaire F. Cook. The palace is a bizarre and harmonious interweaving of several architectural styles, Indian and Moorish influences are noticeable in the interior and exterior. In the middle of the 20th century, the complex became the property of the state and became accessible to visitors.
The monastery is located in the Sintra-Cascais National Park. It was founded in the 16th century and existed until the 19th century (until the order to dissolve the monastic orders). Nowadays, the monastery has fallen into decay and is gradually being destroyed - the walls are overgrown with ivy and moss, only the facades of the buildings remain. The monastery complex is located in a fairly secluded and remote place, which can only be reached by car or on foot.
The mansion was built at the request of the second wife of King Fernand II - Eliza Hensler, Countess Edla. She remained in the memory of the Portuguese as an artist, actress, singer, architect and botanist. Her cozy chalet is hidden among lush vegetation palace park Foam. In 1999 there was a big fire, as a result of which the rear ones were destroyed. In 2011, after partial restoration, the place became accessible to the public again.
The tram runs along a 13-kilometer line from Sintra to the city of Praia das Masanches. He makes eight stops along the way. The line was built in 1904 and eleven historic tram cars travel along it regularly. The tram is mainly used as a tourist attraction. Over more than 100 years of existence, the line was closed several times due to lack of funding for modernization.
The extreme point of the Eurasian continent is 18 km away. from Sintra. The cape is located within the natural national park of Sintra-Cascais. The place is a rock rising 140 meters above the ocean; it has always been surrounded by legends and a romantic aura. There is a lighthouse on the cape and there is a small souvenir shop where, for a few euros, the traveler will be given a certificate of visiting the westernmost point of Europe.
- Address: Largo Rainha Dona Amélia, 2710-616 Sintra, Portugal
- Telephone: +351 21 923 7300
- Website: parquesdesintra.pt
- Working hours: Mon-Sun from 9:30 to 18:00
also called the City Palace. This is not surprising, because many come to the city precisely to admire this architectural miracle. A little about the history of the palace
Initially, in the 8th century, when Portugal was under Moorish rule, there were two palaces in Sintra (now one of them is called). In the 12th century, the city was captured by King Alfonso Enrique. He made one of the palaces in Sintra royal.
Subsequently, the National Palace of Sintra was rebuilt and expanded many times. Because of this, its architectural appearance mixed many different styles, which makes the palace unlike any other.
As a result, nothing remained of the original Moorish building. The oldest parts of the building date back to approximately the 14th century. Most of the changes in the architecture of the palace occurred in the 15th century. It was then that two cone-shaped towers appeared, thanks to which the palace can be seen from afar - they stand out very much in the city panorama. By the way, these towers are just chimneys. Also, a lot was added to architecture and interiors in the 16th century.
In subsequent centuries, the National Palace of Sintra did not change much. In 1755 it suffered a lot from an earthquake, but was restored. Also, a grandiose restoration took place in 1940, at which time furniture from others was brought into its halls to add pomp to the interior.
What is interesting about the palace?
You just need to look at the photo of the Sintra Palace to understand that this is an amazingly beautiful architectural ensemble that definitely deserves attention.
The palace is perfectly preserved. It is believed that this is due to the fact that from the 15th to the 19th centuries people almost always lived in it, and therefore there was no stagnation and destruction. Many beautiful rooms have been preserved inside. The most interesting of them:
How to get to the National Palace of Sintra?
It is reached by bus routes No. 434 and 435. They depart from railway station.
Due to the numerous attractions located in the area. There are so many of them that you need to set aside at least two days for inspection, especially taking into account their somewhat territorial disunity and queues at the entrance. The town itself is very small (27 thousand inhabitants) and very beautiful. But at the same time it is extremely popular among tourists coming to Portugal. Hence the regular problems with both queues at the entrance and parking. Almost all parking lots are not only paid, but it can also be very difficult to find free spaces. I can recommend a large (and free) parking lot relatively close to the city center, where, if you’re lucky, you can find a free space [ 38.8006041N 9.3809831W].
1. Coat of arms of Sintra
On the way from the parking lot to, perhaps, the main attraction of Sintra - the National Palace, we managed to look at several objects.
Sintra Town Hall
Construction of the new municipal offices, which began in 1906 according to the drawings of the architect Adaes Bermudez, was completed in 1909 [ 38.7990656N 9.3881071W]. The building has formal facades with muted windows in the Manueline style. The façade includes an imposing tower and pyramidal tiles that alternately represent the Cross of Christ and the Portuguese Shield. The tower is completed by an armillary sphere. The facade also contains a veranda with arches of the Manueline type and topped with a pediment depicting the coat of arms of Sintra.
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In front of the town hall there is a very beautiful fountain made of carved stone, topped with a sphere depicting the coats of arms of the Portuguese kings [ 38.7989203N 9.3878818W].
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View of the town hall and the central part of Sintra.
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Sculpture "Mother with Child"
The work of the Portuguese sculptor, a resident of Sintra, Pedro Anjos Teixeira [ 38.7965717N 9.3866694W]. From the sculpture there is a short staircase leading down to a museum dedicated to this sculptor [ 38.7968644N 9.3872166W]
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Monument to the doctor Gregorio Rafael da Silva D'Almeida(1854-1920), who worked in Sintra and did a lot for the development of public medicine [ 38.7965467N 9.3868223W]. People called the doctor “The Father of all the poor.”
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Stone "Throne" [ 38.7966324N 9.3869779W]
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Moorish fountain [ 38.7964651N 9.3875813W] XIX century.
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The road from the Town Hall to the Palace of Sintra
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Pelourinho
In the Middle Ages in Europe, the pillory was very often used for public punishment. Sometimes the punishments were accompanied by flogging, which sometimes led to death. In Portugal, the pillory was called "pelurinho", which was installed either in the central square of the city, or in front of the main church or palace [ 38.7971226N 9.3902099W]. Pelourinho was usually built of stone in the form of a column, which at the top was often decorated with a carved capital. Some pelourinhos are decorated with royal coats of arms and are considered major local landmarks.
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In Sintra, the pelouriño is installed just in front of the royal palace.
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Sintra Palace
Sintra Palace is a medieval palace in Sintra, where from the 15th to the end of the 19th century. lived the Portuguese monarchs. Unofficially called the Village Palace (Palacio da Vila). Back in the 12th century. on the site of the palace was the residence of the Moorish rulers. The surviving buildings were built mostly during the reign of King João I.
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Esplanade
Overlooking the historic center of Sintra, the area in front of the palace was previously a courtyard in traditional medieval style and was fenced off with buildings built around the perimeter and used to house nobles, officers and palace servants. Competitions were held on the square and jousting tournaments. The last buildings on the esplanade were demolished in 1912, and the 1789 entrance gate was moved to the east of the palace and is now the entrance to the surrounding forest.
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Fountain in front of the palace entrance. At the same time, part of the queue to the palace itself is visible.
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A 3D model of the palace that you can touch.
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3D diagram of the palace, similar to the one printed in the booklet.
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Hall of Archers
The tour of the palace begins and ends here. The royal guards were probably stationed here.
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Swan Hall
The original Great Hall of the royal residence of João I was built at the beginning of the 15th century. in Manueline style. During the reign of Manuel I it was renamed the Hall of Princes. The hall is still used today for official banquets held during official visits of foreign heads of state.
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The facing tiles and ceiling date from the same period, but were restored after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
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The interior decoration of the Palace is of great artistic value, combining various artistic styles depending on the tastes and preferences of the kings who lived there.
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The painted ceiling of the Swan Hall depicts swans with crowns on their necks. The swan is a symbol of the royal house of Philip III the Good.
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There is a popular legend that the thirty swans depicted on the ceiling correspond to the age of the bride, Isabella of Portugal, to whom Philip wooed in 1428. But an attentive reader can easily see that the legend is incorrect, since only 27 swans can be counted on the ceiling, and the bride was actually 30 years old at the time of the matchmaking.
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Hall forty
This room was already called the "Room Forty" under King Duarte in the 15th century, and it was here that the most important dignitaries and foreign ambassadors held audiences. The room stands out with very beautiful glazed tiles and ceiling. It was here, according to legend, that King Sebastian I listened to the great Portuguese poet Luis de Camões read his epic poem “The Lusiads” for the nobility, which also tells about the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1498. For Portuguese culture “ The Lusiads" plays the same role as a fundamental masterpiece as the "Divine Comedy" does for the Italian one.
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It is said that the number of magpies painted on the ceiling (136) corresponds to the number of court ladies who lived in the palace. According to legend, when King John I, hugging and kissing one of them, was taken by surprise by his wife Philippa of Lancaster, he told the queen “Por bem” (for honor). Birds carry these words in their beaks. Magpies were supposed to symbolize chatty ladies of the court and discourage them from spreading rumors.
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Unfortunately, it was not possible to photograph the ceiling from the center of the room, so I had to leave the next photograph asymmetrical.
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King Sebastian's bedroom
King Sebastian used this room as his bedroom whenever he stayed in Sintra. In the description of the Palace made by King Duarte I in the 15th century, this room is called the Golden Chamber. The name probably comes from earlier gilded ceiling or wall decoration.
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The 16th-century wall decoration consists of tiles with a vine design in relief, surrounded by a frame of corncob-shaped tiles depicting a fleur-de-lis. On the table is a star globe created by the German precision navigation instrument maker Christoph Schiesler in 1575.
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Hall of Mermaids
According to the description provided by King Duarte, this room served as a royal wardrobe during the reign of King João I, and it was here that clothes, jewelry and other personal items were kept. Later, a rectangular door with a white marble jamb was cut into the wall near the window. The passage leads to a spiral staircase that directly connects to the Arabic room.
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The top corners of this photo were recreated using a computer to avoid cutting off a significant portion of the image.
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Julius Caesar's room
The room is named so because on the wall hangs a 16th-century tapestry depicting a scene from the life of the Roman emperor Julius Caesar.
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Princess Diana's courtyard
Diana's courtyard is named after a fountain from the Renaissance period.
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Princess Diana's courtyard offers a very beautiful view to the mountains, including a neat, toy-like castle, in which the Quinta Meieres hotel is now located, is clearly visible. The distance to the hotel in a straight line is about 500 meters.
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Galleon Hall
The Hall of Galleons, built on the border of the 16th and 17th centuries, has vaulted ceiling, decorated with seascapes, galleons and other ships.
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They say that the king ordered the ceiling of this hall to be painted with caravels after receiving news of the discovery of India by Vasco da Gama.
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There are four paintings hanging on the wall (from left to right): St. James Zebedee and St. Clara of Assisi ( Portugal, first half of the 17th century.); Portrait of Diego Gómez de Sandoval, Commander-in-Chief of the Order of Calatrava, Count of Saldana at the age of 18 ( Juan Pantoja de la Cruz, 1605-1608); portrait of Paola Visconti ( Paris Bordone, c. 1550-1552); Rest during the flight to Egypt (Balthazar Gomez Figueira, 18th century).
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Hall of Priests
As far as I understand, the hall consists of two adjacent rooms.
Rest while escaping to Egypt ( Portugal, XVII century.)
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Cabinet ( Portugal, XVIII century.)
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The National Palace of Sintra (port: Palácio Nacional de Sintra) is easily recognizable by its two chimneys. The 33-meter-tall cones were once kitchen chimneys. Now they serve as a symbol of the structure and a landmark for tourists.
The remaining parts of the building retain the features of Manueline, the so-called Portuguese Renaissance, and Gothic. But practically nothing remains of the Moorish style in which the palace was originally built. This is due to numerous restructurings. Despite this circumstance, the castle has been preserved better than other palaces in the Portuguese town.
The local government noted the architectural, historical and tourist significance of the landmark in 1910. After 85 years, the iconic structure joined the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 2013 national monument joined the European Network of Royal Residences.
History of the Royal Palace of Sintra
The history of the future royal residence began during the Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.
In those years there were two castles in the town. We know about this thanks to the Arab geographer Al-Bakri. In his notes dating back to the 11th century, the scientist mentioned two fortifications. One of them, Moorish Castle, was located on a hill, the second was located at the foot of the hill. It later became the national palace.
In 1147, Sintra was captured by Afonso the Conqueror, who declared the castle his property. During the reign of King Dinish I, the building was significantly transformed - the highest part of the palace was erected. In the 14th century, a chapel appeared on the territory. It is considered the oldest surviving structure of the palace.
John the Great and Manuel I made their contribution to changing the building. Thanks to John, the National Palace of Sintra acquired numerous halls that have survived to this day. In 1497-1530 Manuel I expanded western part residence: built a Renaissance wing, decorating it with tiles from Spain.
In the royal palace, elements of Moorish culture and many traditions unusual Western countries. For example, there was almost no furniture here. Instead of sitting on chairs, rulers preferred to lie on pillows.
After the devastating earthquake of 1755, the building was repaired. In the 19th-20th centuries, the building went through several more renovations, during which the appearance of the interiors began to differ from the original.
What to see at the National Palace of Sintra
After admiring the exterior, be sure to check out the premises of the building. Of greatest interest are the courtyard, the prison room of King Anfosu VI. Also noteworthy are the swan hall, the forty hall, the central hall, the hall of coats of arms, the chapel and the kitchen.
Swan Hall
Before becoming a swan, he changed more than one name: he was and big hall, and the baby center. What remains constant is the ceiling of the room, decorated with octagonal panels depicting swans. Portraits hang on the walls. The hall, built during the reign of John I, served as a historical venue for celebrations and receptions. Significant events often took place here, for example, the wedding of one of the kings.
No one ties the knot in this hall anymore, but official banquets are still held. But dinner parties are not for mere mortals, but for heads of foreign states.
Armorial room
The armorial room is located in the western wing of the palace and is oriented to the cardinal points. Its windows overlook the Atlantic Ocean. But what’s inside will amaze you no less. It is not for nothing that the room is considered the most important heraldic hall in Europe. From the coats of arms depicted on the ceiling, you can study the history of the Portuguese aristocracy.
On the lower level you will see 72 distinctive signs of the kingdom's influential noble families. The design of a deer is used as the basis for all coats of arms. Above the bottom panel are images of eight large deer with white streaks on their antlers.
The walls are decorated with local Azulejo tiles, depicting hunting and bucolic scenes. The wall panels date from the beginning of the 18th century and are attributed to the artist Mestre. He identified himself with the abbreviation PMP.
Armorial room of the National Castle of Sintra on Google Panorama:
Hall forty
136 birds were captured here. The appearance of magpies is associated with one legend. According to legend, one of the rulers once retired here with a court lady. His wife witnessed the spicy scene. The king denied the affair and ordered the ceiling to be painted as proof. The number of birds is no coincidence - that’s exactly how many women lived in the National Palace of Sintra at that time. Roses were depicted next to the birds - a symbol of the royal Portuguese family.
Kitchen
Dating back to the 15th century, it was intended for large hunting banquets. Several ovens can be seen different sizes, copper pots, pans and other utensils. The walls are lined with white tiles. In 1889, the royal coat of arms of Portugal and Savoy was placed here. It belonged to Maria Pia, the last ruler who lived in the residence. Take a look at the stove chimneys - the same ones that give the National Palace of Sintra its recognizable appearance.
Afonso VI Prison
One of the premises was given over to a prison. For nine years, until his death in 1683, Afonso VI was kept here. The corresponding order was given by his brother, Pedro II. This is one of the oldest rooms in the palace, the only one with an iron railing in the window. The ceramic floor is believed to date from the 15th century.
Chapel
The interior of the church is dominated by light colors. The walls are lined with red-brown tiles. Attentive travelers will recognize the outlines of doves with olive branches in their beaks. Complemented by ceramic floors and wooden ceilings. As we mentioned above, Dinis I was involved in the construction of the chapel.
Opening hours of the National Royal Palace of Sintra
The attraction welcomes guests every day. Opening hours: from 09:30 to 18:00. Please note that the ticket office closes half an hour earlier, at 17:30.
Prices
- A visit to the palace for one adult aged 18 to 64 years will cost 10 euros.
- Children from 6 to 17 years old can purchase a ticket for 8.5 euros.
- The same rates apply to people 65 years and older.
- A family ticket for two adults and two children costs 33 euros.
To take advantage of discounted admission, choose combined tickets (available at the box office). You can pay for the visit either on the spot or in advance through a specialized portal.
How to get there
Sintra is a small town. Most tourists travel here from Lisbon, located 30 kilometers from settlement. This distance can be covered by car and train.
By train: the journey will not take more than 40 minutes. Transport from the Portuguese capital departs every 20-30 minutes. Runs around the clock. In Lisbon the train leaves from three stations: Oriente, Entrecampos. If your hotel is located in the city center, it will be more convenient to take the Rossio station. The final destination is called Sintra. You can get to Portela di Sintra, but then walking to the attraction will take longer. The fare is 2.25 euros.
On foot: From the station you can walk to the National Palace of Sintra in 10 minutes. The distance between points is 650 meters. Continue west towards Av. Dr. Miguel Bombarda, then turn left onto Av. Dr. Miguel Bombarda. Take Largo Dr. Virgílio Horta, R. Guilherme Gomes Fernandes, Calçada Rio do Porto, Escadinhas do Hospital, R. Visc. de Monserrate/N375 and Praça da República.
By bus: before historical center Scotturb transport will take you to Sintra. Buses No. 434, 435 are available and depart from the railway station.
By car: the A37 road will take you from the capital to your destination. You can also take the A16, but it includes paid areas. You can get to the attraction from Mafra in 40-46 minutes. Take the N9 (exit the A5 motorway towards Cascais).
From Mafra:
From Lisbon:
As part of excursions: there are both group and individual tours. Mostly depart from the Portuguese capital. Includes visits to the castles of Sintra, Cape Roca, and the city of Cascais.
By taxi: in Sintra these are Taxintra-Cooperative Radio Taxis Sintra Line (there is a mobile application), Beloura, Auto Táxis Bigodinho & Silva LDA.
Royal Palace of Sintra on Google Panorama: exterior view
Video about Royal castle Sintras:
