Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Lisboa > Sintra > Sintra
The National Palace of Sintra is located in the heart of the town, in the Quinta do Castanheiro area. Its central position makes it an immediate point of reference for those arriving in Sintra, standing out in the urban landscape and inviting exploration of the surrounding historic centre.
One of the most striking features of the National Palace of Sintra, and a symbol of the town itself, is the unmistakable silhouette of its two large conical chimneys. These monumental structures rise from the royal kitchen, visible from various points and serving as a kind of guide in the Sintra landscape.
With origins dating back to the Islamic period, between the 10th and 11th centuries, the National Palace of Sintra is the oldest royal palace in Portugal to survive to this day. It served as a residence and refuge for the Portuguese royal family for centuries, hosting monarchs from D. Dinis to D. Manuel I, and witnessed significant events in the country's history. Its current form results from the addition and adaptation of sections over time, reflecting architectural evolution and the needs of each era.
The architecture of the National Palace of Sintra is a fusion of styles that converged over centuries, including Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance elements, with particular emphasis on Islamic influence. The way in which the different sections of the palace articulate through courtyards and corridors is notable. Inside, the palace houses the largest collection of Mudéjar tilework in Portugal, a testament to the strong Islamic cultural presence and its integration into Portuguese art. Manueline decorative details also enrich various spaces.
Upon entering the palace, one discovers a series of rooms with unique decorations and associated stories. The Magpies Room owes its name to the numerous magpies painted on the ceiling, each with the phrase "Por bem" (For good), linked to a curious legend about King D. João I and the court maidens. In the Swans Room, it is these birds that dominate the ceiling, symbolizing fidelity. The Coats of Arms Room displays the heraldic shields of the main noble families of the kingdom at the time of D. Manuel I and his children, on an impressive ceiling surrounded by tiles depicting hunting scenes. Other notable spaces include the Moorish Room, with its geometric tilework, and the Prison-Room where D. Afonso VI was held captive, with its rare ancient floor and barred window.
Directly connected to the iconic chimneys seen from the exterior, the palace kitchen was designed to prepare large banquets, especially after hunting expeditions which were greatly enjoyed by the court. This space reflects the scale of royal life, with its large furnaces, ovens, and a set of copper utensils, giving an idea of the work required to feed hundreds of people.
The water supply to the National Palace of Sintra is ensured by an ingenious hydraulic system that collects water directly from the Sintra Mountains, in areas close to Pena Park. Through a route that includes mines, galleries, small aqueducts, and tunnels carved into the rock, water is transported by gravity to the palace, feeding the reservoir known as Mãe d’Água (Mother of Water) and, from there, the rooms, gardens, and fountains. This system, innovative for its time, demonstrates a remarkable understanding of hydraulic engineering.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.7976627,-9.3906554
Coordinates DMS: 38°47'51.6"N 09°23'26.4"W
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