The Chapel Ruins of Palacio Monserrate of Sintra~
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Palacio of Monserrate
as now organically taken over
in the 19th century |
Good Afternoon my dear friends & followers I found another most interesting legend which I hope that you all will find interesting as I my friends hugsss---
The Sintra National Palace or as the people call it the Palacio Nacional de Sintra is located in the heart of the romantic town of Sintra close to the far west of the coastline of central Portugal. This Palacio life began in the early fifteenth century and grew organically until the late nineteenth century, providing an eclectic mix of architecture that fits perfectly with the diverse and slightly magical architectural styles that populate this beguiling town. Now for a bit of the Steeped History and Legends of the Palace's origins which date back to Islamic times when Sintra was dominated by two Castles --- The Castelo dos Mouros which is now a protected ruin presiding over one of the highest peaks in Sintra Mountain ranges & the present day National Palace. The Palace was taken into the possession of the Portugal Royal
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The Palace in the heart of Sintra Pena
In it's Days of Glory! |
Family in the twelfth century and they then embarked on a programme of the construction over several centuries creating a beguiling mix of Gothic, Manueline and Moorish architectural styles to match the already diverse and interesting landscape of the town in the 12-centry. These days the earliest surviving sections date back to the fourteenth century - The Royal Chapel, however, its strong heritage will forever live on! The Palace has been inhabited more or less continuously since it was first constructed and it was here that King Afonso the VI was forced into exile from 1676 until his demise in the year 1683 after being deposed by his own brother Pedro due to his alleged mental instability. During the great
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The Grand Palace Monserrate after
Queen Maria, I set many
renovations
on the Palance including the
older wings |
Lisbon earthquake of 1755 the main tower over the Arab Room was lost and several other areas of the Grand palace sustained major damage from this huge earthquake of 1755. However, Queen Maria I set about some major renovations on the palace including repairing some of the older wings of the grand Palacio Monserrate. With The Palace Monserrate of Sintra rebirth by Queen Maria I - It was now a favourite summer retreat among the Portugal's royals and European aristocracies too. Since the Palace of Monserrate in Sintra became such a favourite summer retreat and brought the people of Portugal more income to their country. Queen Amelia decided to start even more renovations and additions after Queen Maria I.
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The Palace that Queen Amelia continued
to restore till 1910 when the earth took the Palace |
This was in particularly because Queen Amelia had a great fondness for the Sintra National Palace. It seems after the Republic was founded in 1910 the place returned to the state and has become a popular tourist attraction ever since. During the Queen Amelia rain, there were a series of interconnecting courtyards, stairs, corridors and galleries joined to the palace. She continued to renovate the Palace till her passing. The individual sections of the palace were a cohesive whole and you could wander through these maze of styles and historical features today in the nineteenth century which is one of the most exciting activities that can be done for any visitor to Sintra.
Whilst Palacio Nacional de Sintra is now officially Portugal's most visited palace, its sheer size and majesty ensures that it is not just worth the visit, but also that it never becomes too crowded to enjoy the Palacio.
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Part of the Romantic Grounds
and Overgrowth
of the Pena Palace |
It is said that the Pena Palace in Portugal is perhaps one of the most iconic and best-known for the images of its enthralling countryside! Perched high on a hilltop above the romantic town of Sintra, the Pena Palace can be seen from as far away as Portugal's capital, Lisbon, on a clear day, which is some thirty kilometres to the east of the Palace. The Pena Palace is a protected national monument and is considered to be one of the world's best examples of nineteenth-century Romantic architecture. Even though the Pena Palace has been constructed some thirty plus years before the Schloss Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, it is not only the best but, was also the first of its kind. Since 2007, it has been recognised as one of the SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD OF PORTUGAL - HAS WON A DESIGNATION AS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE TOO! This is a must see! in my BOOK!
The Palacio da Pena dates back to the Middle ages when it took the form of a chapel perched high on the hill overlooking Sintra. It was adopted as something of a pilgrimage site destination and sanctuary by the Portuguese rulers in the fifteenth century, but first by King John II and then later by King Manuel I, who had a monastery constructed on the site though it was sadly all but ruined in the earthquake of 1755.
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| Palace of Pena Park |
Now, days you can lose yourself in the lush greenery that has taken over the palace de Pena. Once you enter the walls and grounds you can delight in walking through the beauty of the landscaped greenery, which is a maze of bridges, grottoes, pergolas and fountains punctuated by the heady sight and scents of thousands of flowering plants & flowers. There is also the amazing Ivy that has taken over the landscape of the Pena Park.
Another bit of history I discover was that of Sir Frederick Cooke who inherited the Monserrate after the death of his father. Sir Frederick did make more improvements and opened the Palace to the public at the time in 1928. It's rumoured that Sir Frederick might have put the Palace up of sale. However, the council had to intervene to ensure that a new owner would not close public access, but, in fact, no buyers were forthcoming for the palace itself even though the adjoining quintas were sold off 'for a low price'. From what I could find out the Monserrate and its extensive grounds remained unsold until the year 1949 when a Portuguese financier bought it and eventually delivered it to the state of Portugal in 1968. Then in 1994 the Park was closed and major work was done to make it look pristine condition but once again. Now it is keep-up and with decorative helpful signs to tell visitors what things are. It is a beauty of the world.
For all to enjoy for centuries to come. However, the Portugal government
does keep a watchful eye on the grounds and the
palace too. I hope that you
enjoyed the post
YOURWENDY
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
MY DEARS
YOURWENDY
