 |
| Sintra |
 |
| Sintra shopping |
Quinta da Regaleira:
 |
| Quinta da Regaleira |
Designed and built during the late 1800s, Quinta da Regaleira reflects the sensitivity, cultural, philosophical and scientific interests of the owner, António Augusto de Carvalho Monteiro (1848-1920). In an effort to create something Medieval in style but also Classical, Monteiro and his architect chose the Manueline style, also referred to as Portuguese late Gothic. This style originated in the 16th century, during the Portuguese Renaissance and Age of Discoveries. In addition to a romantic palace, there is a chapel and a luxurious park that features lakes, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains, and towers!
Two of the many towers are actually inverted towers that resemble wells. The "Initiation Wells" never served as water sources. They are lined with stairs that connect tunnels that lead to caves and other monuments in the park.
 |
| Initiation Wells |
It's possible that these wells were used for ceremonial purposes. Some theories suggest that they could be linked to the Knights Templar, or symbolize the churches of Hell from Dantes' Inferno. At the bottom of the well is an inlaid stone compass with the Templar cross.
National Palace of Pena:
 |
| National Palace of Pena |
The 19th-century Pena National Palace stands on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains, above the town of Sintra.
It was quite a climb to get to the Palace but it's absolutely worth it!
Here are a few of my favorite rooms:
 |
| Dining Room |
 |
| Sitting Room |
 |
| Great Hall |
 |
| Manueline Cloister |
Ferdinand II had chambers with this view of the Moorish Castle:
Speaking of views....
What a wonderful day! More Lisbon to come.
