Sintra 18 May

The next and last day in Lisbon we spent at Sintra.  What a pity as the beautiful scenery was hard to see because of mist and showers.  We were cold, unprepared, with short sleeves and umbrellas, no raincoats.  I decided to limit our experience to 2 “palaces”, both 19^th C extravaganzas.  The first and highest, over 500m, was Pena, a Portuguese equivalent, but on much larger scale, of Brighton Royal Pavilion.  All is preserved as it was in 1910; no photos allowed inside. 

The garden area, 85 hectares, was barren when the Royals came, but is now described as a natural environment of rare beauty and scientific importance.  We saw little, but noticed a large clump of azaleas and rhododendrons in full flower, very lovely.

Guardian's  Gate

Next to Quinta da Regaleira, bought in 1840 by Baroness da Regaleira and transformed into an elegant summer retreat.  In 1893 Manini, a famous Italian architect, started a 14 year commission to extend and enhance buildings and gardens.  The new owner was a  wealthy chap, Monteiro, who was very learned and also rather peculiar. 

Regaleira Tower

The grounds are full of mysterious places, tunnels, caves, waterfalls, fountains... 

Leda’s Cave

Fortunately, the showers stopped long enough for us to explore, use our torch to get through one tunnel,  climb up a 27m tower and eventually emerge on another level.

Tiles on Pisoe's Loggia

The Main House is also extraordinary.

View of gate from house