Monserrate Palace and Park, Sintra (must see)
The Monserrate Palace (Portuguese: Palácio de Monserrate) is an exotic palatial villa located near Sintra, the traditional summer resort of the Portuguese court. It was built in 1858 for Sir Francis Cook, an English baronet created visconde de Monserrate by King Luís. Monserrate turned to an English architect, James Knowles Jr., for designs. Though its Moghul-inspired details are unique in Portugal, its eclecticism is a fine example of the Sintra Romanticism, along with other nearby palácios, such as the Pena Palace.
In its surroundings is Monserrate Park, 33 hectares of exuberant ancient trees, exotic and thematic gardens (Mexican, Japanese, rose garden...), a valley of ferns (with numerous specimens of the so-called tree fern), the first large meadow of grass planted in Portugal, a waterfall, romantic ruins, ponds and pergolas.
As large tree specimens, the presence of: Araucaria de Bidwill, Araucaria heterophylla or Northfolk and Kauri from Queensland should be highlighted. It also has good specimens of Swamp Cypress and a spectacular specimen of Metrosideros excelsa or iron tree or New Zealand Christmas tree, with abundant and striking red flowers in early summer.
In its surroundings is Monserrate Park, 33 hectares of exuberant ancient trees, exotic and thematic gardens (Mexican, Japanese, rose garden...), a valley of ferns (with numerous specimens of the so-called tree fern), the first large meadow of grass planted in Portugal, a waterfall, romantic ruins, ponds and pergolas.
As large tree specimens, the presence of: Araucaria de Bidwill, Araucaria heterophylla or Northfolk and Kauri from Queensland should be highlighted. It also has good specimens of Swamp Cypress and a spectacular specimen of Metrosideros excelsa or iron tree or New Zealand Christmas tree, with abundant and striking red flowers in early summer.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sintra. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Monserrate Palace and Park on Map
Sight Name: Monserrate Palace and Park
Sight Location: Sintra, Portugal (See walking tours in Sintra)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Sintra, Portugal (See walking tours in Sintra)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Sintra, Portugal
Create Your Own Walk in Sintra
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sintra is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Pena Palace and Moorish Castle Tour
A charming little township on the outskirts of Lisbon, Sintra is a place where there's something for everyone. As if straight out of a fairy tale, this area is a home to several magnificent castles, palaces and gardens, the grandiosity of which fits for a king; and it has been a firm favorite of Portuguese royals since the late 15th century.
The diversity of styles found here is rich –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
The diversity of styles found here is rich –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Sintra Introduction Walking Tour
Traces of humanity in Sintra date back to Paleolithic times. At an open air site near the church of Sao Pedro de Canaferrim and the Moorish Castle there were found ceramics from 5,000 BC. The name Sintra is indo-European. It means "bright star" or "sun." Romans called the place "sacred mountain." Ptolemy called it "mountains of the moon."
In 1147 the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
In 1147 the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles