Portugal! Sintra -- part 2: The Quinta da Regaleira (July 23rd, Sunday)

I had first gone to Sintra on Friday, as you saw in an earlier blog, and taken the walking tour... while interesting, it had not enabled me to go INSIDE any of the palaces or attractions. So...when Diego came to visit (from Madrid) for the weekend, we drove back to Sintra to explore what it had to offer more comprehensively. 

For starters, I was itching to see the inside of Quinta da Regaleira. It was an AMAZING place! Here is some information about it: 

Quinta (estate) da Regaleira is a located near the historic centre of Sintra, Portugal. It is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  The property consists of a Romantic period palace and chapel, and a luxurious park that features lakes {don't know where... I never saw one!}, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains, and a vast array of exquisite constructions. The palace is also known as "The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire", which is based on the nickname of its best known former owner, Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, who purchased it in 1892. The palace was designed by the Italian architect Luigi Manini. The architecture Manini designed evoked Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline styles.

Diego and I wandered, admired and photographed the palace, inside and out... as well as the lush and expansive gardens. I could easily see living there! Perhaps in another lifetime?!


Though the palace itself was fairly small--apparently a second estate for the various wealthy owners--I imagine it was so desireable because of the location in Sintra and the vast and gorgeous gardens! 



The beautiful little chapel, 100 feet or so away from the palace. 

The inside of the chapel 

An overview of part of the verdant garden as seen from the palace and chapel. 

                                                    

There was not much left of the original furnishings, but what was there was exquisite! 


Charming murals adorned the walls...


...but best of all, in my mind, were the very ornate, detailed wood-carved ceilings! Magnificent!!!




Not sure what happened to the lighting in this one... a king's throne...so at one point, was occupied by royalty!  

Not quite sure what this was... a lookout tower or something?!


One of the grottoes


Don't recall where or what this was...but loved the little creatures! 





Beautiful lamp over the ornate entrance to the palace.


No furnishings in this room...only the magnificent floor to admire! 








More exquisite wood ceilings! SO unusual! 




I also liked, and appreciated, the beautifully patterned floors...


...and wooden doors!




Lovely lady guards a grotto...!

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