This volume essentially consists of an abridged version of the material contained in the volumes that comprised Sintras application to become a world heritage site. Beautifully illustrated.

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Sintra Around thirty kilometres from Lisbon is the small historic Portuguese town of Sintra where once the rise and fall of an entire kingdom took place. King Joao The First ordered construction of the Palacio Nacional De Sintra on the foundations of a Moorish construction that dated back to the 10th century. From the palace there is a beautiful view across the Vila Velha, Sintra’s old town. The Palacio Nacional De Sintra consists of a variety of architectural styles that include Moorish, Gothic and Manuelistic design. 530 metres above sea level, on the summit of the Sintra Mountains, the spectacular Palacio Nacional De Pena overlooks the town. At first sight its towers resemble minarets, a symbol of a courageous and successful combination of numerous architectural traditions. Three kilometres from the castle is the oldest building in Sintra, the towers and walls of a Moorish castle, the Castelo Dos Mouros. The thousand year old ruins are famous for their amazing view (more…)

Part of a series of seven titles, to be published over a period of four years. The series will explore some of the most important historic monuments in Portugal. Colour photographs, original drawings and plans compliment the lively text.

About the Author
Jose Custodio Viera da Silva lectures at the Universidade Nova, Lisbon. Specialising in fifteenth and sixteenth century architecture, he has published several books.

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Sintra is aone-of-a-kindand fantastic place. It is a place to be visited and explored, time and time again, both on account of its magnificent, natural scenery – an alpine setting in the south of Portugal – and its rich history entwined with that of the Portuguese Royal family. “Sintra: A Glorious Eden” evokes the spirit of this magical place, a cool sanctuary for the monarchy from the overwhelming heat of the city of Lisbon. The reader is introduced to the historical and literary background to what has become a symbol of Portuguese romanticism at home and abroad. Meticulously researched in Portugal about this citadel of tremendous historical importance. Fully illustrated with both historical artwork and contemporary photographs. “A Glorious Eden” is how Byron described Sintra, in his opinion the most beautiful place in the world.

About the Author
Malcolm Jack edited Vathek and Other Stories and William Beckford: An English Fidalgo.

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Sintra is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a must see for any person who is earnest to experiencing and seeing the unanticipated. People who have visited Sintra repeatedly  depict as a dreamlike location where fantasy and reality have been carefully intertwined. Sintra gets its wonderful attribute owing to the amazingly large quantity of Castles and Palaces which have been engineered there in excess of thousands of years. Even the Sintra’s Town Hall, The Câmara Municipal, that you can see on the image above, is an astoundingly magnificent construction.

Like to most places in Portugal, Sintra has a very extended history, spanning thousands of years. Sintra’s lengthy history can be traced back to the early Neolithic age, and archaeological proof indicates a long progression of human settlements spanning through Bronze and Iron ages.

Throughout Roman occupation of Lisbon, Sintra formed part of the Roman Administration settlement of Olisipo (Modern Lisbon). But it wasn’t until the 11th century, in the course of Moorish occupation of Iberia that mention is made to Sintra. At that time it was included as a dependency of Lisbon. About seven years following the Christian King Afonso Henriques reconquest of Lisbon in 1147, Sintra was awarded charter as a commune. It was during the Christian Reconquest that Sintra’s iconic Moorish Castle was partly ruined.

Sintra was governed by the Knights Templars until the order was abolished. Soon after that, the Portuguese Crown renamed the Knights Templar the Order of Christ. Although there were buildings constructed by the Portuguese Crown well into the 15th century, it wasn’t until the beginning of the Portuguese Global Empire that Sintra bloomed. It was King Manuel I who commenced the lasting link between Sintra and the Crown by enlarging the existing Royal Palace and the building of the Nossa Senhora da Penha Monestary. It was from the Nossa Senhora da Penha Monestary  that King Manuel I watched Vasco da Gama’s iconic homecoming voyage of discovery.

Today, Sintra is a location bursting of fascination and brilliance which was created by successive peoples who dwelt there. With the support of the Portuguese Crown, it is beyond doubt one of the most absorbing places on earth, and exceptional in every way. A visit to Sintra is a necessity and must not be missed on your next Portugal Holiday.

The Following are several of the lovely places awaiting your stopover in Sintra:

The Royal Palace: Constructed in the 15th and 16th century the Royal Palace is located in the Centre of Sintra. With its two colossal smokestack, the Royal Palace is as stunning as it is imposing. The Palace has integrated, considerably, the use of azulejos, Portuguese tiles designed as decoration of walls.

The Pena Palace: Planned by Portuguese architect Possiddnio da Silva, the Pena Palace is a product of pure Romanticism. The prototype Of European Romanticism, the Pena Palace was commissioned by King Ferdinand II, and built over the ruins of a medieval monastery which had been deserted after the 1755 earthquake. Widespread use of Egyptian, Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance elements gives the Pena Palace an undying and enchanted feel.

The Palace of Montserrate: Planned by distinguished British architect, James
Knowles Junior for Sir Francis Cook, The Palace of Montserrate is an example of mid-19th century eclecticism. fusing Neo Gothicism and elements derivative from India, Montserrate is as absorbing as it is picturesque.

The Moorish Castle: Sitting high on a mountaintop it is believed that the Moorish Castle is not Moorish but of Visigothic in origin. Since It was in use by the Moors at the time of the Christian Reconquest it became recognized as the Moorish Castle. Even though the castle is partly in ruins, owing to its sacking by Dom Afonso Henriques Crusade in Iberia, it is nicely preserved and worth a visit owing to its astonishing history and panoramic views.

The Quinta da Regaleira:  Built between 1904 – 1910 the Quinta da Regaleira is motivated by mysticism, infused with signs of alchemy, Masonry, the Knights Templar and the Rosicrucians.  The land where the Regaleira sits was formerly owned by the Barons of Regaleira, a wealthy merchant family from Porto. It wasn’t until the property was purchased by wealthy businessman Carvalho Monteiro that construction of the Regaleira commenced. The Quinta should not be missed on your Portugal vacation.

These are only a sampling of the many breathtaking places to visit in Sintra. There are many estates with vegetation imported from all over of the world. Sintra is more than just a location, it has an energy that makes it one of the top places on this planet to visit.

The Royal Palace: By Delatorre
The Palace of Montserrate: Alagamares
The Quinta da Regaleira:: Lusitana