Sintra and the National Palace

Sintra was one of the older capitals of Portugal. It is here that the Moors built a tremendous fortification just over the hills. Just 18 miles north of Lisbon, it was included in Lord Byron's 1809 Grand Tour of Europe. An incredibly beautiful town surrounded by flowers, plants, and palaces.

Looking down on the town and the National Palace of Sintra from the Moorish castle on the hill.  Also here in Sintra is the National Palace of Pena and the convento de Santa Cruz dos Capuchos (the cork monastery).

 

 

 sintrap.jpg (18973 bytes)

 

moorca.jpg (14477 bytes) the Castelo Dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) built originally between the 8th and 9th centuries 1300 feet above sea level. It was captured in 1147 by Scandinavian Crusaders.

 

flowers.jpg (16436 bytes) The National Palace of Queluz was ordered built by Pedro III in 1747 and the work dragged on for 40 years. It was adapted from an old hunting pavilion.

To Continue Your Tour, go to:
Obidos, Alcobaca, and Batalha

Back to Sanborns Trip to Portugal Main Page

Email: Robert Sanborn, at:
All are scanned images Pat's Photographs. Copyright 1998, 2001
Page Last Revised: January 26, 2001.