Sintra National Palace

The palace has the largest collection of Mudéjar Azulejos in the world and its twin 33 metres high chimneys are the symbol of Sintra.

History

After the Reconquista (Reconquest) of Portugal , the Palace passed into the possession of the Crown and was extended three times.

In 1281, King Denis decreed that the conservation of the Palace should be entrusted to the enfranchised Moors.

Later, in the early 15th century, King John I (1385-1433) built the central body of the building.

In the first quarter of the 16th century, King Manuel I added several wings and in particular enriched the interior, which now possesses the most important collection of Mudéjar Azulejos (coloured glazed tiles) in the world.

The successors of Manuel I neglected the Palace and it was refurbished in the 17th century, when King Afonso VI (1643-1683), mentally and physically ill, was dethroned in 1667 and exiled to the Azores by its brother, Peter II , was detained in the Palace in 1675 for the last nine years of his life.

Magpies Room Sala das Pegas

The room takes its name from its magpies painted ceiling. Each magpie holds a rose (symbol of the Queen Philippa's House of Lancaster) and says "Por bem" (Without bad meaning).

The legend says that her husband, King John I (1357-1433) was caught by court women kissing a lady which led them to chatter like magpies.

The King defended himself that the kiss was "Por bem" (Without bad meaning) and got the ceiling painted by 136 magpies, one for each women of the court, so that they do not forget their duties of courtesan.

Swans Room Sala dos Cisnes

The Sala dos Cisnes (Swan Room) evokes the royal marriage of the lnfante D. Isabel de Portugal with the French Duque of Burgundy Philip the Good in 1430, its ceiling being divided in octagonal panels decorated with swans.

Kitchen

The Palace's kitchen is huge and allowed to cook for over thousand guests, roasting entire beeves on its spindles.

It is topped by twin 33 metres high chimneys, feature of Sintra's landcsape.

Coats of Arms Room Sala dos Brasões

The room, erected by King Manuel I in 1508, exhibits the coats of arms of his contemporary 72 noble Portuguese families.

The walls are covered by 16th century Azulejos (coloured glazed tiles) representing hunting scenes.