Category: Nature > Garden
District: Lisboa > Sintra > Sintra
The gardens constitute an integral part of the Sintra National Palace, harmoniously integrated into the heart of the village, in the district of Lisbon. Although they do not extend over large areas, these exterior spaces offer a natural and serene transition between the imposing architecture of the palace and the surrounding landscape of the Sintra Mountains. Their layout invites discovery of more intimate perspectives of the monument itself and picturesque glimpses of the village rooftops and the lush vegetation that surrounds it.
The garden areas of the Sintra National Palace are composed of distinct areas, each with its own character, unfolding around the palace structures. Among these is the Jardim da Preta, situated on one of the terraces, which evokes a unique past through its enigmatic Manueline-style twisted column and a painted composition that gives it its name. Adjacent, the Jardim dos Príncipes invites tranquility and repose, having once served as a space for leisure and contemplation for members of royalty.
The presence of water is a fundamental and historically relevant element in the palace gardens and courtyards, manifested through an ingenious hydraulic system that once provided moments of freshness and amusement. In the center of this complex, the Pátio Central surprises with its Gruta dos Banhos (Grotto of Baths), an 18th-century construction lavishly decorated with tiles and stucco, attesting to the sophistication of the era. In other courtyards, such as that of Diana, with its fountain dedicated to the huntress goddess, and that of the Lion, with the gargoyle that pours water, the importance of water in the composition of these spaces is evident, uniting functionality with artistic and symbolic beauty. These elements are a testament to a remarkable mastery of engineering and landscape design from centuries past.
Walking through the gardens and their courtyards is an experience that allows for a closer connection with the history and surrounding nature of the Sintra National Palace. Visitors can discover corners where the vegetation, sometimes with topiary boxwood beds and older trees, harmonizes with the centuries-old stone of the palace. In various points, it is possible to enjoy views that open onto the historic houses of Sintra and the surrounding cultural landscape. The serene atmosphere and the richness of the artistic and natural details that characterize these gardens invite a contemplative stroll in the heart of the village.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.79790956007683, -9.391299183249412
Coordinates DMS: 38°47'52.5"N 09°23'28.7"W
On-duty Pharmacy Sintra
