Wednesday October 4th - Pena Palace

Wednesday October 4th - Pena Palace

Built in the 1750's by Duke Ferdinand II near the site of a 13th century monastery Convent of the Capuchos that was demolished by an earthquake in 1755, The Pena Palace and Chapel of Our Lady of Pena (Pena is Portuguese for Sorrow) is perched atop Sintra Mountain overlooking the town of Sintra and other monuments including the magnificent Regaliera and Beister Estate, both privately constructed palaces and mansions of merchants and magnates and now conserved by the State as national treasures.  (more on those tomorrow)




It is strenuous undertaking to walk up to the top of Sintra Mountain on the winding cobblestone roads as we did, but worth it for sure! The views are breathtaking, and it is said that King Manuel I, while hunting in that very spot of the Sintra palace, witnessed the arrival of Vasco da Gama's fleet from India after their second voyage.




It is interesting to note the combination of Christian Gothic and Moorish/Muslim influences like minarets with battlements and ramparts with Templar's crosses and gargoyles in the architecture. 


The extensive use of hand-painted ceramic tile in the Moorish style is applied to interior and exterior surfaces alike has held up amazingly well over the ages in its original form - without restoration! 








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The Journey Begins Day 1 - Penha Longa Resort Day 3 Pena Palace Day 4 - Regaleira Day 5 - Lisbon Day 6 - Embark Seabourn Odyssey Day 7 - Almeria Day 8 - Tangier Day 9 - Alicante Day 10 - Gibraltar Day 11 - Valencia Day 12 - Barcelona Famiglia Sagrada Day 13 - Barcelona Gaudi Parc Guell Day 14 - La Pedrera Day 15 - Adios Barcelona
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