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 Sintra Accommodation
Sintra Guest & Manor Houses
Sintra Holiday Rental Agents
Sintra Hotels
Sintra Hotels & Spa
Sintra Inns
Entertainment
Sintra - Night Life
Sintra - Restaurants
Sintra - What to Do
Golf Courses
Belas Clube Campo Golf Course
Lisbon Sports Club Golf Course
Melia Capuchos Golf Golf Course
Oitavos Dunes Golf Course
Quinta da Marinha Golf Course
Estoril Golf Course
Ribagolfe I Golf Course
Ribagolfe II Golf Course
Santo Estevao Golf Course
Quinta do Peru Golf Course
Beloura
Penha Longa Atlantico
Penha Longa Mosteiro
Wines
Colares
Introduction to Sintra
Essentially romantic in character this town was poetically described by
Lord Byron as "this glorious Eden". It was declared by UNESCO as
a World Heritage Site. Original Sintra is not a large place to visit
but it is very worth while for its charm and visual links with the past.
It encompasses two outlying areas named Estefânia and São Pedro.
As the older part of Sintra sits on a granite slope it is best seen
on foot or by a horse-drawn carriage. Abounding in history the town is
dominated by the two conical chimneys of the Palácio Nacional da Vila
that was the a summer home of the royal family since the 15th Century.
Scattered on the surrounding hillside are several historical creations
openly showing the diverseness of each original owner’s taste in personal
architecture. The most outstanding example is possibly the Palácio da
Pena, a 19th Century recreation of different styles admired by the King,
Dom Fernando II, the German husband of the young Portuguese Queen Maria II.
This example often regarded as a failed attempt to create his own romantic
revival. The castle stands high on the southeast side of the mountain range.
Overlooking the village are the ruined ramparts of the Castelo dos Mouros,
a fort dating from the 8th Century. Within it is an ancient Moorish cistern
and the panoramic view from its walls is impressive.
There are several churches in the town and the most interesting is the 12th
Century Igreja de Santa Maria which was rebuilt after the 1755
earthquake. Several private palaces are open to the public, amongst which
are the Palácio de Seteais, a magnificent 18th Century home built
for the fifth Marquês de Marialva and later converted into a five
star Hotel, Casa dos Ribafrias a 16th Century building once belonging
to the Marquês de Pombal; Quinta de Pena Verde, another 16th Century
palace, and the Palácio de Monserrate built in the 19th Century by
Francis Cook and influenced by the architectural design of Nash.
Another place of interest is the Convento dos Capuchos, which is an
unusual hermitage founded in 1560 with tiny dwarf cells cut from the rock.
Within the old town there are several museums. The Museu de Brinquedo
displays toys from the past and present. The Museu Regional retells
the history of the area with items and relics and often are also holding
art exhibitions. Casa Museu Leal de Câmara is a museum devoted to
the works of the artist of that name. Casa Museu Dorita Castel Branco
is also devoted to works of the sculptress after whom it is named. Others
are Museu de Arte Moderna, Galeria de Arte Municipal de Sintra, Centro
International de Escultura, Museu de Arqueologia São Miguel de Odrinhas,
Museu Renato L. Garcia, Atelier Museu de Anjos Teixeira and Museu
Ferreira de Castro. (Visit - Portugal History)
Sintra - Nearby Locations
Not to be missed is the Jardins de Monserrate for the vast and
endless variety of exotic trees, subtropical plants and shrubs that were
imported in the 19th Century to create this attractive Park. If the visitor
has the time there is the charmingly restored old electric train from the
town of Sintra that takes the visitor at the weekends (only in the
summer), down to the west and to the not too distant beach resort of
Praia da Maças and the craggily perched coastal village of
Azenhas de Mar. Also to the west of Sintra is the village of
Colares that is famous for its white wine that is the only one in
Portugal that enjoys a bottle life that exceeds the normal two or three
years. To the north is the town of Mafra with its imposing Monastery.
Another place of interest are the Roman ruins that are to be seen at São
Miguel de Odrinas.
Visual Info and in Portuguese
Sintra Photos
Sintra Palace
· Sintra Town Café
· Historic Sintra
· Ericeira
· View of Sintra Castle
· View of Sintra
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Sintra Events |
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| Festival de Musica |
June |
| Town Holiday |
29th June |
| Feira Grande de São Pedro |
31st July |
| Romaria de São Mamede |
14th to 22nd August |
| Festival de Ballet |
August |
| Flea Market |
Every Sunday
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Lisbon Coast Towns
Cascais
· Estoril
· Lisbon
· Mafra
· Queluz
· Sesimbra
· Setúbal
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Useful Sintra Telephone Numbers
2710