Discover Beautiful Sintra
Sintra – a diverse daytrip
The Magnet Projects guesthouse is located in Costa da Caparica on the southern side of the Tagus river. It is just a short ride away from the heart of Lisbon. If you’re staying with us, trips into town will most definitely be on you itinerary. But did you know that Sintra, a Unesco World Heritage village, is also only a short 40 minutes away?
This picturesque little town is situated in the middle of the Sintra Mountains. Throughout these cooling forested green hills you will find many 19th-century Romantic architectural monuments, gardens, royal retreats, estates, castles and other buildings. The bright yellow and red walls of Palácio Nacional de Pena can even been seen all the way from Costa da Caparica.
Palácio Nacional de Pena seen from Costa da Caparica
History
Although remnants of human occupation have been discovered dating back as far as to the Paleolothic era, it wasn’t until the third quarter of the 18th and all of the 19th century that Sintra gained significantly in popularity amongst the Portuguese and foreign aristocrats as a summer retreat. The magic of the region with its dramatic vistas, landscapes and climate went hand in hand with the 19th century Romantic vision of life. Unhappy with society ‘the romantic’ flees from the here and now to other cultures, into the past, fairy tales or nature. It resulted in the construction of many extravagant palaces and grand residences such as Monserrate Palace and Castelo dos Mouros. Build by the Moors in the 9th century, the castle was destroyed by an earthquake and fires. King Fernando II (1816-1885), who was fascinated by the medieval period, restored the ruined structure as an enchanted fairy tale ruin.
Castelo dos Mouros
Palácio da Pena
The epitome of the Portuguese (and the worlds) Romantic architecture is Palácio Nacional de Pena. Situated on top of the Sintra Mountains, the palace towers high above the surrounding landscape. Offering magnificent views over Lisbon, the river and the Atlantic Ocean. It is built over the remains of the 16th century monastery of the order of Saint Jerome. Completely inline with the exotic taste of the Romanticism King Fernando II kept many of the original elements as well as adding a mixture of styles with Medieval and Islamic elements.
The attractive town of Sintra is centred around the Palacio National. This Gothic royal residence was used from the 15th century up until the fall of the monarchy in 1910 and can be recognized by its two identical white cone-shaped chimneys above the kitchens. The cobble stone streets, twisting and turning up the hillside, are lined with charming traditional houses and offer plenty of places to sit down for a bite and drink.
At the Vila Sassettia in the historic centre a hiking trail starts which will take you all the way up to Castelo dos Mouros and the National Palace of Pena. The walk takes about 45 minutes to the entrance of the Parque Nacional de Pena and another 20 minutes through this enchanting forested park.
Parque Nacional de Pena
In all, Sintra is well worth a visit. So put on your hiking boots and start your day early! And, while your at it, drop down to Cabo da Roca to touch toes with the most western point of mainland Europe on your way back to Costa.
Cabo da Roca
