Lisbon - Day 4 - Sintra

My favourite excursion of the week was our trip to Sintra, and our visit to The Palace of Pena. Andrew very kindly drove us up there, for us to explore. What an amazing enchanting place!

This palace and the whole park that surrounds it were devised by King Ferdinand II, who started work on it in 1839 by renovating a ruined and abandoned Hieronymite monastery. Some spaces of the monastery still remains intact and forms the oldest part of the palace, and it was built by King Manuel (1469-1521).

It is easy to see that King Ferdinand envisioned this as his perfect retreat. This was built during a time when a new mindset had emerged in Europe, one that valued close contact with nature, where the natural growth of vegetation was encouraged.
Here's Nathan in front of the Monumental Gate that gives access to the palace. It makes allusion to the architectural style in Lisbon during the 15th and 16th centuries, a stylistic revival combining many different elements.

King Ferdinand II's Germanic Romanticism shines through in his recreation of an imaginary Middle Ages, transforming the grounds of the former monastery with walls topped by battlements, towers and sentry walks.

The King decided to expand the palace in the 1840s, with a new wing called the New Palace; and also a circular tower and a new kitchen. This is why the palace is in two different colours, it's dusky pink for the former monastery and ochre for the New Palace.

The Great Hall forms the center of the New Palace, and it spans no less than five pairs of windows. The furniture had both Gothic, Renaissance, Tudor and Flemish influences. Initially it was designed as an audience room, but it was also used as a billiards room during the monarchy.

The King had part of his collection of stained glass from Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands inserted into the central windows. They were so beautiful and detailed.

This cloister, built around 1511 had various types of Hispano-Moorish tiling with geometric motifs decorating the floor.

The dining room has a 16th century Manueline rib-vaulted ceiling and was tiled in the 19th century, and beautiful view.

Another room, where both the ceiling and the walls were completely decorated to look like wood - but it was all painted!

It was absolutely magical! A real fairy tale castle! I loved the whole idea of it!
Here we are on the terrace outside Queen Amelia's apartments:

The Stag Room once served as a banqueting hall of the New Palace. It belongs within the context of Mediaeval revivalism that was typical for King Ferdinand's taste. It combines elements of a trophy room with a knight's room; and isn't it fitting that the King decided to furnish it - with a round table!

The main kitchen, situated very close to the Stag Room. The copper utensils here, original to the Palace of Pena, bear King Ferdinand's seal (a crown over an F) above the initials PP (Palace of Pena).

Having finished the visit inside of the palace, we decided it was time to refuel. The café didn't offer many choices, so muffins, soda and machine coffee it was. At least, it was another stunningly sunny and beautiful day, and the views second to none!

Here's Nathan on the Courtyard of Arches:

Here we got views over the ocean and several other landmark buildings in Sintra, as well as the vestiges of the Pilgrim's Way, the route taken in former times to reach the old monastery church.

The Chapel, the part of the architecture that has remained most unchanged from the time of the monastery.

This is the Arch of the Triton. The lower part of this entrance is decorated with references to the sea, with corals, shells, fins and fish scales. The upper part has Tritons body with has tree branches growing out of his head leading to the vines decorating the window above.

The Palace of Pena has been used as a residence by the Portuguese royal family during two periods of time, first from it's acquisition by King Ferdinand II in 1838 until 1890; and later by King Carlos I. Once he was assassinated and the republic was proclaimed the palace was re-opened to the public in 1911 after being classified as a National Heritage Site. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

If you ever visit this part of Portugal - do NOT miss Sintra and The Pena Palace!