Sintra is a special city with numerous ancient palaces, beautiful parks and fountains, narrow streets and unique fauna. This city inspired and still inspires many talented and great people who come to Sintra to create their masterpieces.
One of the most significant sights of Sintra, for which tourists from all over the world travel, is Pena National Royal Palace, reminiscent of a castle from a fairy tale. It sits majestically on the Sera di Sintra cliff and combines eastern minarets, European turrets, bulky medieval walls and bridges, and lush Renaissance portals. Its walls have an unusual color - red and yellow, which gives the castle a fabulousness and originality.
When traveling in Sintra, be sure to visit the Quinta da Rigaleira estate, built in the 17th century. However, one of its next owners (Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro) demolished the old mansion and built a new one in its place, giving it a certain mystery and romance. No less attractive is the luxurious and at the same time mysterious park surrounding the palace. One of the most significant places in the park is the well with a spiral staircase, once used in the rites of the Masonic order.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the Castella dos Morush Palace (or the Palace of the Moors), built at the turn of the 8th - 9th centuries. However, by the 15th century, the inhabitants of the palace moved to the territory of modern Sintra, as a result, the castle was deserted and dilapidated. And only by the 19th century, the royal family decided to preserve this heritage as a unique historical monument. Unfortunately, not everything was restored, but nevertheless, the palace still attracts a large number of tourists and is a significant city landmark.
