Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

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BUÇACO

! E3 ⌂ 3 km (2 miles) SE of Luso § 231 937 000 @
# 9am–6pm daily (last adm 5pm) ∑ fmb.pt
Part-ancient woodland, part-arboretum, the National Forest of
EXPERIENCE The Beiras and the astonishing Bussaco Palace Hotel at its centre.
Buçaco is a magical place, with its shady walks, hermits’ grottoes

Bussaco Palace Hotel
As early as the 6th century, this 105-hectare
King Carlos, who commissioned this
(260-acre) park was a monastic retreat, and in
extravaganza in 1888, never lived to see his
1628 the Carmelites built a monastery here,
walling in the forest to keep the world at bay.
Manueline folly of a hunting lodge built by
In their secluded forest the monks established
contemplative walks and chapels. The trees, creation. Completed in 1907, the Neo-
Luigi Manini includes murals and tiles by
added to by Portuguese explorers, gained prominent artists. Azulejos in the
papal protection in 1632, and there are some hall feature scenes of the
700 species here, including the venerable Battle of Buçaco.
“Buçaco cedar”. The peace of the The palace’s rebirth as a
forest was disturbed in luxury hotel in 1917, serving
1810 as British and its own wines, was the
Portuguese troops inspir ation of the royal chef
fought the French and it became a fashion able
on Buçaco ridge. rendezvous for socialites.

The exterior of the Bussaco Palace
Hotel, whose grand hall (inset)
has azulejos featuring scenes
from the Battle of Buçaco
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