The Royal Palaces of Lisbon (Lisbon and Sintra)
Description:
It is always interesting to look into the former chambers of kings, to see how they lived, what surrounded them, to learn interesting facts about their life and habits. We will get acquainted with completely different in architecture palaces built at different times: from the IV to the XIX centuries. Kings lived in these palaces: they loved, suffered, weaved intrigues, languished in imprisonment. And at the same time we will get acquainted in two cities: Sintra and Kelus, and with the Belém district in Lisbon.
We begin with a visit to one of the oldest surviving palaces in Portugal – the Royal and now the National Palace in Sintra, easily recognizable by two tall conical smokestacks. The palace was built on the site of the residence of Arab rulers who fled Sintra in 1147.
After the tour we will walk through the streets of Sintra, its historical part. A cup of coffee with local sweets, cherry liqueur, ginja, in a chocolate cup, souvenirs for memory, and it's time to go. The next royal palace is Kelus Palace. Its construction dates back to the mid-18th century in the Rococo style. The main construction work is connected with the marriage of the future first Queen of Portugal Maria I, who was married to her uncle, Pedro.
From the walls, portraits of royal persons look at us, each has its own history, its own destiny. The palace has preserved original interior items, unique tiles. Quelus Palace is halfway between Lisbon and Sintra, with tourist buses whizzing past and in vain. There are no crowds of tourists, classical music concerts are often arranged in the palace. After all, it was here that the first operas and concerts of the Maria I Orchestra were given, which at that time was considered the best in Europe. Quelos Palace is often called the “Portuguese Versailles”.
Above the palace always hovered the spirit of Versailles - a spirit of playfulness, fun and some frivolity. The largest, truly royal, last palace - the National Palace of Ajuda in Lisbon, built in the early XIX century. in the style of classicism, and remained unfinished. But even in its unfinished form, it amazes with its scope and grandeur.
After visiting the palace, the sweet end of the excursion program will be a visit to the oldest confectionery, in which pasteis de belém cakes are baked, and a visit to the church of Jerónimos, built in the Manuelino style.