Sintra Cultural Landscape

Sintra Cultural Landscape

The Sintra Cultural Landscape is located about 20 kilometers west of Lisbon. Sintra is a small town in the northern suburbs of Lisbon, known for its fresh air and beautiful scenery. The area features rolling hills, with palaces, castles, and villas nestled amidst the endless greenery. The blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty is so captivating that the poet Byron once likened Sintra to the Garden of Eden.

Sintra was the first place in the 19th century to gather European Romantic-style architecture. King Ferdinand II transformed a ruined church into a castle, which combines elements of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance architectural styles. During the construction of the park, many foreign tree species were introduced and planted alongside native trees. Additionally, the luxurious mansions built near Sala were all aligned along one side of the road, creating a harmonious visual dialogue between the buildings and the surrounding parks and gardens. All of this had a profound influence on the development of landscape design in Europe.

Compared to Pena Palace, this side features the ruins of a once-magnificent site, exuding a desolate beauty. Though the undulating walls are now covered in moss, they span the entire hilltop—such grand scale and ancient history spark the imagination. Walking along the cool mountain breeze atop these walls, you can admire the lush, verdant forests halfway up the hill, the striking white villas nestled within them, and the pale orange hues of Sintra city at the foot of the mountain.