PALÁCIO NACIONAL DE SINTRA (OR PAÇO REAL)
Also known as the " Palácio da Vila ", this palace is a masterpiece of medieval and Manueline architecture.
You can't help but be struck by the two huge conical chimneys that cap the palace's austere facade in white. Also known as the " Palácio da Vila ", the Palácio Nacional de Sintra is a masterpiece of medieval and Manueline architecture. The site of the palace dates back to the time of the Moors in Portugal, who first built a fortress here. After the Christian reconquest in 1147, King Afonso Henriques transformed the building into a royal residence. In the 14th and 15th centuries, under the reigns of John I and Manuel I, the palace was considerably enlarged and embellished. The two emblematic chimneys were added during this period. You can admire them from inside the royal kitchen, where you can appreciate the phenomenal size of the flues. The tour continues from room to room. You'll marvel at the Sala dosCisnes (Swan Room), a former reception room decorated with panels depicting swans. The Hall of Coats of Arms(Sala dos Brasões) features a vaulted ceiling decorated with the coats of arms of the Portuguese nobility. The Hall of the Magpies(Sala das Pegas), decorated with magpies carrying roses in their beaks. Legend has it that King John I was surprised by the queen with a lady of the court, and justified himself by saying " Por bem ", "in all good honor", a motto worn between the beaks of the magpies. A remarkable site in every way.
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Members' reviews on PALÁCIO NACIONAL DE SINTRA (OR PAÇO REAL)
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
A faire même si son architecture fait plus penser au style germanique que portugais
Nombreuses pièces aux décors en azulejos magnifiques, surtout la salle des blasons.