Page 150 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

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PALÁCIO NACIONAL

DE SINTRA

EXPERIENCE The Lisbon Coast ¢ 1 Jan, 25 Dec ∑ parquesdesintra.pt The Sala dos Brasões,
⌂ Largo Rainha Dona Amélia # Mar–late Oct: 9:30am–7pm daily;
Nov–early Mar: 9:30am–6pm daily (last adm 30 mins before closing)
One of the best-preserved royal palaces in Portugal, Sintra’s National Palace
has a fascinating mix of Moorish and Manueline architecture. Inside, the
lavishly decorated, whimsically themed rooms are a delight to explore.

At the heart of the old town of Sintra (Sintra
one of Europe’s
Vila), a pair of strange conical chimneys rise
above the Royal Palace. The main part of the
heraldry rooms
palace, including this central block with its
plain Gothic façade, was built by João I in the most impressive
late 14th century, on a site once occupied by
the Moorish rulers. The Paço Real, as it is also
known, soon became the favourite summer
retreat for the court, and continued as a
residence for Portuguese royalty until
1910. Additions to the building by
Manuel I, in the early 16th century,
echo the Moorish style.
The palace stretches across
a number of levels, in
acquiescence to the
mountain on which it sits.

Did You Know?

Afonso VI was
imprisoned by his
brother, Pedro II,
in the palace for
nine years.
Sala das Galés
(galleons)

Jardim da Quarto de Dom
Preta, a walled Sebastião, the
garden bedroom of the
young king

The white walls and
distinctive chimneys of the
Palácio Nacional de Sintra
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