The Monserrate Palace In Sintra, Pure Romanticism
The Monserrate Palace is one of the most beautiful and romantic buildings that you can find in the charming town of Sintra. It is one of the greatest representations of Portuguese romantic architecture and, ultimately, one of the main tourist attractions of the place. Would you like to know more about the history and architecture of this spectacular palace? Then join us on this tour and discover it with us.
The magnificent Palace of Monserrate
The Monserrate Palace is located in one of the most beautiful and charming villas in Portugal, nothing more and nothing less than Sintra. This place has many perfectly preserved buildings and monuments that perfectly reflect the greatness of the days of yore. However, the Monserrate Palace is one of the main tourist attractions of the town, and there are reasons for it.
The spectacular Monserrate Palace is a work whose history dates back to the mid-19th century. It is one of the greatest representations of Portuguese romantic architecture. In addition, it has a spacious and beautiful garden that over the years has become one of the favorite places of both locals and tourists.
A long story
This palace was built by Francis Cook, a millionaire merchant of English origin. He decided to completely reform the place and make it his dream summer home. Previously, this land, known as Quinta da Bela Vista, belonged to the domains of the Hospital de Todos los Santos in Lisbon.
The director of the hospital, Frei Gaspar Preto, had made a pilgrimage to the Benedictine monastery of Monserrat, located in Catalonia, Spain. Upon his return, he ordered the construction of a chapel in honor of Nossa Senhora de Monserrate on the Quinta da Bela Vista site. This is the origin of the name that would accompany the later constructions of the place.
The spectacular garden of the Monserrate Palace
After passing through several owners, when it arrives at the hands of Francis Cook the site takes a new turn. It becomes the spectacular construction that today enchants everyone who knows it. The millionaire not only had the palace completely rebuilt, but also fitted out the immense garden in a typically English romantic style.
The palace garden is a place of extraordinary beauty. Various professionals worked on it, including the English architect James T. Knowles, the gardener James Burt, the landscaper William Stockdale and the botanist William Nevill.
Cook had a very romantic spirit, which was reflected in every little detail of this immense garden. In this sense, you can find an area with ancestral ferns, azaleas from Japan, a Mexican garden, Australian araucarias and many more.
The ideal complement to all these gardens are the beautiful lakes, waterfalls and ruins that decorate it. Definitely, the garden of the Monserrate Palace is one of the most special places in Sintra.
A protected gem
The Monserrate Palace was listed as a World Heritage Cultural Landscape by UNESCO in 1995. It had previously been classified by the Portuguese state as a Property of Public Interest in 1978.
In short, this palace is one of the most special and beautiful places that Portugal hides. The beautiful architecture blends seamlessly with the imposing natural landscape that surrounds the building. Monserrate Palace is, without a doubt, one of the most romantic places not only in Portugal, but in the entire world.
