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| Sintra | ||
| District | Lisbon District | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 377.835 (2011) | |
| height | 317 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Sintra is a city in Portugal about 25 km north-west of Lisbon. It is located in a hilly landscape, the Sierra Sintra. Since 1995 the cultural landscape of Sintra World Heritage of UNESCO.
background
The city of Sintra, along with the surrounding Parque Natural de Sintra-Caiscais, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, which also includes the wooded hills with their eccentric palaces in the surrounding area. It is the first European center of romantic architecture and landscaping.
history
- 1st - 2nd century BC: Founded as part of Olisipo (Lisbon)
- 713 - 1147: Moorish period
- First capture by a Christian army in 1093
- 1147 captured by the first king of Portugal, Alfonso I.
- 1385 - 1433: Joao I reigned: work began on the royal palace
- 1495 - 1521: during the reign of Manuel I, Sintra became a summer residence for a long time
- 1580 - 1640: Spanish period: the Sintra residence was abandoned
- in the 19th century: "discovery" of the "romantic Sintra"
- 1904 - 1975: Tram line Sintra - Praia des Macas, reopened in 1980, extended in 1997 and 2004
getting there
By plane
The closest international airport is the Aeroporto da Portela at Lisbon.
By train
From Rossio train station in Lisbon There are regional trains to Sintra every half hour (one way: € 2.75, 'four zones'; round trip: € 5). The historic city center is a 10-15 minute walk from the train station.
By bus
From Praça do Comércio, Lisbon Sightseeing buses run daily at 2 p.m. Yellow Bus Tours to Sintra. Excursion duration 5 hours.
In the street
Of Lisbon out in a north-westerly direction on the IC19.
mobility
- Eléctrico de Sintra - The historic tram from 1904 between Ribeira de Sintra and Praia das Maçãs (11 km) runs on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 10:20 am and 5:00 pm, six trips per day, fare: € 3.
Tourist Attractions
Overview of castles, chateaus, palaces and monasteries
- Palácio Nacional de Sintra (also Palácio da Vila), palace in the center of Sintra, World Heritage Site (UNESCO). Entrance fee for adults: € 7. More on this.
- Castelo dos Mouros, castle above Sintras, World Heritage Site (UNESCO). Entrance fee for adults: € 6. More on this.
- Palácio Nacional da Pena, romantic castle just outside Sintras, World Heritage Site (UNESCO). Entrance fee for adults (Park & Palace): € 13.50. More on this.
- Quinta da Regaleira, romantic house in Sintra with a fairytale park, World Heritage Site (UNESCO). Entrance fee for adults: € 10. More on this.
- Convento dos Capuchos - former monastery of the Capuchins, adult admission: € 5. More on this.
Palácio Nacional de Sintra
stands in the middle of the old town (Vila Velha) of Sintra. From the outside, the two large chimneys, the chimneys of the palace kitchen, stand out. It was built by João I in the 14th century and expanded under Manuel I in the 16th century. It was the court's summer residence until the end of the 19th century.Special worth seeing
- Central courtyard - the heart of the palace of Dom João I. There is a grotto here, a forerunner of a refrigerator.
- Sala dos Brasoes (coat of arms hall) with the coats of arms of noble families and beautiful tile pictures
- Sala dos Cisnes (Swan Hall), the banquet hall with the 27 painted swans on the ceiling.
- Sala das Pegas (Elstersaal)
- King Sebastiao's bedroom with its Italian four-poster bed and the original grape leaf tiles.
- Sala das Sereias (Siren Hall)
- Sala dos Arabes (Hall of the Arabs)
opening hours (last admission half an hour before closing): Summer: 9.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. / Winter: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.? / Wed closed
Entrance fees: Adults (27-64 years): 7 € / teenagers / young adults (15-27 years): 2 €? / Seniors (from 65 years): 2 €? / Sun until 2 p.m .: free entry?
Castelo dos Mouros
lies on a mountain high above Sintra. It is part of the world heritage of Sintra. Originally the castle was built by Moors around the 9th century. After Dom Alfonso Henriques conquered Lisbon, the Moors surrendered. In the 16th century the castle lost its military importance and fell into disrepair. In 1830, King Ferdinand II began the renovation, during which the walls and towers were rebuilt.The walls consist of two parts and have a total length of 450m. There are several towers and a small church near the entrance. From the walls you have a beautiful view over Sintra, the Palácio Nacional de Sintra and on to the coast.
opening hours (last admission one hour before closing): 1.5. - 14.6 .: 9.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. / 15.6. - 15.9 .: 9.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m. / 16.10. - 31.10 .: 9.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. / 1.11. - 30.4 .: 9.30 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. / on 25.12. closed.
Entrance fees: Adults (18-64 years): 4.50 € / children up to 5 years: free / young people (6-17 years): 2.50 € / seniors (from 65 years): 2.50 € / families: 10 €
Palácio Nacional da Pena
Located about 2 km south of Sintra, a colorful "fairy tale castle", in a pretty park landscape and is part of the world cultural heritage of Sintra. It is one of the most important buildings of romantic architecture of the 19th century in Portugal. It was built after 1840 by Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege on the ruins of the Hieronymites Monastery on behalf of the Prince Regent and later King of Portugal, Ferdinand II. Because of its eclectic architectural style, it is known as the “Neuschwanstein” of Portugal. Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline and Moorish building elements can be found next to each other.The park can also be visited independently of the castle. There is the highest point of the Serra de Sintra at 529 m, the Cruz Alta, from which one has a wonderful view of the coast and the hinterland.
Special worth seeing:
- The Triton Gate - richly decorated with shells, corals and wine motifs
- The chapel with a marble and alabaster altarpiece
- The Arabic room with beautiful frescoes
- The grand ballroom
opening hours High season March 27th to October 15th:
Pena Park: 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. - last entry at 7 p.m.
Pena Palace: 9.45am to 7.30pm - ticket sales close at 6.45pm and last entry is at 7pm
Entrance fees palace and park in summer: adults (18-64 years): 13.50 €, children up to 5 years: free, young people (6-17 years): 9 €, seniors (from 65 years): 9 €, families: 32 €
Park entrance fees: Adults (18-64 years): 6 €, children up to 5 years: free, young people (6-17 years): 5 €, seniors (from 65 years): 5 €, families: 16 € (as of 08-2010)
Quinta da Regaleira
The palace with esoteric allusions was built between 1904 and 1910 by a coffee and gemstone dealer who had returned from Brazil according to romantic ideals. He mixes neo-Gothic and neo-Romanueline elements with classic romanticism.
The fairytale park, which is unparalleled anywhere in the world, should be emphasized. Laid out on a steep hillside, wide paths but small trails and stairs lead to the top. On the way you can see countless grottos, labyrinths, towers, spiral staircases, a chapel and the accessible fountain Poço Iniciático (Source of consecration, a place of initiation of the Freemasons). To see and experience everything you need about two hours. It is worth bringing a flashlight, because the individual sites are partly connected by long underground tunnels.
- 4 Quinta da Regaleira (Royal palace), Rua Barbosa du Bocage, 2710-567 Sintra. Tel.: 351 219 106 650. In the palace itself there is an exhibition about the history of the property and from the roof you have a beautiful view over Sintra, the Maurenburg and the Pena Palace. It can be reached on foot in max. 10 minutes from Sintra.Open: Guided tours: Jan, Nov, Dec: 10.30am - 5.30pm, admission until 5pm; Feb, Mar Oct: 10.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m., admission until 6 p.m. Apr - Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep: 10.30 a.m. - 7.30 p.m., doors open until 7 p.m.Price: Admission: adults (up to 64 years): 6 €, children up to 8 years: free, young people (9-14 years): 3 €, schoolchildren, students over 15 years: 4 €, seniors (from 65 years): 4 €, families: € 18. - Guided tours are also possible.
Palacio e Parque de Monserrate
- 5 Palacio de Monserrate (Palácio de Monserrate).
The old neo-oriental palace of an Indian viceroy from the 18th century is located in the park in English style. Numerous plant species such as cedar, bamboo, tree fern and others spread around the water basins and cascades.
Convento dos Capuchos
- 6 Capuchin monastery (Convento dos Capuchos).A little outside of Sintra in the Serra de Sintra is the former Capuchin monastery in the middle of the forest. It was founded in 1560. The special thing about the winding monastery complex with its small rooms is the use of cork to cover the walls and doors. How to get there: From Sintra towards Palácio Nacional da Pena. Then the monastery is signposted. It is on the N247-3.Open: last entry one hour before closing: high season March 27 - October 15: 9.30 a.m. - 8 p.m.Price: Admission: adults (18-64 years): 5 €, children up to 5 years: free, young people (6-17 years): 4 €, seniors (from 65 years): 4 €, families: 13 €.
activities
shop
There are many souvenir shops in the old town. Tiles and ceramic items are particularly popular.
kitchen
- Fábrica das Verdadeiras Queijadas da Sapa, Volta do Duche 12. Pastry shop that sells delicious queijadas.
- Saudade cafe, Av. Miguel Bombarda, 6.
nightlife
accommodation
Learn
Work
security
Sintra is a safe city. As in the rest of Portugal, there are also beggars here. Nevertheless, nothing stands in the way of an evening stroll.
health
Practical advice
The post office in the old town is on Rua Gil Vicente. From the Palácio Nacional you have to walk 100m west.
trips
- Serra de Sintra. With its varied flora (oaks, cedars, tropical trees, tall ferns, camellia bushes) the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful.
- Boca do Inferno. (Eng .: Höllenmund) - The gorge is located in the coastal cliffs 2 km west of Cascais.
- Queluz. Rococo palace complexes: Palácio Nacional de Queluz, the National Palace of Queluz and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre.
- Mafra, in the North.
literature
Web links
- http://www.cm-sintra.pt/ - Sintra official website
