Sintra
The variety of fascinating historic buildings and beautiful scenery has established Sintra as a fantastic tourist destination, and has since become the most popular day trip from Lisbon. I actually made two day-trips here because there is so much to see. I wish I had spent the night.
The Porta Férrea, or Iron Gate, is the main entrance to Pena Palace.
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Pena Palace was built by German born Prince Ferdinand between 1840-1885. It is a crazy mish mash of styles with Gothic towers, Renaissance domes, Moorish minarets and Manueline carvings.
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It was a beautiful day in August, so the palace was super busy with tourists.
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Getting a shot of The Great Hall without loads of people in the way was impossible.
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Detail of the Arch of the Triton, Pena Palace.
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The Arch of the Triton is one of the most enigmatic architectonic features of the Palace of Pena. Entitled the “Allegoric Gate to the creation of the World” right in the 19th century, its most prominent facet is its Triton, a mythological monster, half-man and half-fish. Similarly, all of the arch is divided between the aquatic world below and the terrestrial world above.
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Looking at the palace from the Wall Walk, you can see how it is built right into the rock.
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Looking down at the Moorish Castle from Pena Palace.
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Looking down at the Moorish Castle from Pena Palace.
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I'm not sure of the significance of this gargoyle, but it's pretty cool.
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On my way from Pena Palace to the Moorish Castle I passed this wagon being pulled by draft horses.
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The Castle of the Moors was constructed during the 8th and 9th centuries, during the period of Muslim Iberia.
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Looking down on the town of Sintra from The Castle of the Moors. You can see the train station to the right and the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.
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The Castle of the Moors is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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A panorama from the Morrish Castle overlooking Sintra.
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Walking down the hill from Pena Palace approaching The Castle of the Moors.
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The view from the highest point in the castle.
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The view of the lower part of the castle from the upper wall.
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Looking up at Pena Palace from The Castle of the Moors.
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I continue my walk down the hill towards Sintra, looking back up at the Moorish Castle.
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Approaching the Quinta da Regaleira from Sintra. This 1912 mansion and garden was designed by Italian opera-set designer Luigi Manini for a wealthy monarchist two years after the royal family was deposed. The grounds a fascinating to explore. I think kids especially would like it.
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The Waterfall Lake is connected to some of the other attractions by an elaborate system of tunnels.
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One of the many grottos in the upper levels of the Quinta de Regaleira complex.
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These rocks are actually a tunnel entrance.
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The initiatic well, a subterranean tower 27 meters deep, an architectural metaphor for Dante’s Inferno.
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Looking toward the bottom of the well.
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A view of the contruction of the well. It is basically a subterranean tower, not a well at all.
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From the bottom of the well you can explore tunnels to find other attractions on the grounds.
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