Page 104 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

102  THE LISBON C O AST

6 Sintra

Sintra’s stunning setting on the north slopes of the granite
Serra, among wooded ravines and freshwater springs, made
it a favourite summer retreat for the kings of Portugal. The
tall, conical chimneys of the Palácio Nacional de Sintra
(see pp104–5) and the fabulous Palácio da Pena (see pp106–7),
eerily impressive on its peak when the Serra is blanketed
in mist, are unmistakable landmarks.
Today, the town (recognized as a UNESCO Cultural
Landscape site in 1995) draws thousands of visitors all Fonte Mourisca on Volta do Duche
through the year. Even so, there are many quiet walks in striking 19th-century building,
the wooded hills around the town, especially beautiful the museum also hosts regular
in the long, cool evenings of the summer months. temporary exhibitions relating
to Portugal’s natural history.
as does the cosy
Casa de Sapa café, E Museu das Artes de Sintra
where you can Avenida Heliodoro Salgado.
sample queijadas, the Tel 965 233 692/219 243 794.
local sweet speciality. Open 10am–8pm Tue–Fri (to 6pm
The many fountains winter), 2–8pm Sat & Sun. Closed
dotted around the public hols. & 7
town are used by This museum displays the works
locals for their fresh of Portuguese and international
spring drinking water. artists, with the permanent
Two of the most exhibition featuring the private
striking are the tiled collections of Emílio Paula
Fonte Mourisca Campos and Dórita Castel-
(Arab Fountain), Branco, and several landscapes
Chimneys of the Palácio Nacional de Sintra named for its of Sintra dating from the
Neo-Moorish mid-18th century.
Exploring Sintra decoration, and Fonte da
Present-day Sintra is in three Sabuga, where the water P Quinta da Regaleira
parts, Sintra Vila, Estefânia and spouts from a pair of breasts. Rua Barbosa du Bocage. Tel 219 106
São Pedro, joined by a confusing 650. @ 435. Open 10am–6:30pm
maze of winding roads scattered E Museu de História daily (to 8pm Apr–Sep, to 5:30pm Nov–
over the surrounding hills. In the Natural de Sintra Jan). & 8 0 - ∑ regaleira.pt
pretty cobbled streets of the old Rua do Paço 20. Tel 219 238 563. Built between 1904 and
town, Sintra Vila, which is centred Open 10am–6pm Tue–Fri, 12–6pm Sat 1910, this palace and extensive
on the Palácio Nacional de & Sun. Closed Mon and public hols. gardens are a feast of historical
Sintra, are the museums and Opened in 2009 in the town’s and religious references,
beautifully tiled post office. The historic centre, Sintra’s excellent occult symbols and mystery.
curving Volta do Duche leads natural history museum features The obsession of the eccentric
from the old town, past the lush a permanent collection of millionaire António Augusto
Parque da Liberdade, north to thousands of fossils and other Carvalho Monteiro, they are
the Estefânia district and the ancient exhibits dating back a must for anyone interested
striking Neo-Gothic Câmara several millennia. Housed in a in esoterica.
Municipal (Town Hall). To the
south and east, the hilly village of
São Pedro spreads over the slopes
of the Serra. The Sunday market,
held on the second and fourth
Sunday of every month, extends
across the broad market square.
Exploring Sintra on foot
involves a lot of walking and
climbing up and down its
steep hills. For a more leisurely
tour, take one of the horse-and-
carriage rides around the town.
The Miradouro da Vigia in São
Pedro offers impressive views, Ornamental stonework at Quinta da Regaleira

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