Hey, have you've ever been to China? Not I! But I have been to Sintra - which is kind of the same... :D okay, only kind of... but when Colin and I have entered the Castelo dos Mouros I've felt immediately like I've changed the continent! Because this little city near Lisbon is so various that you get the impression to visit several countries at once!
If you go to Lisbon, you should totally seize the opportunity and pay a visit to Sintra! Since I've seen pictures of this unique place, I was full of anticipation to see it by myself! It was a sunny thursday when we've started our trip early in the morning from Rossio train station. After buying our roundtrip tickets for a really fair price (4,30€), we've taken the railway towards Sintra. Around 30 minutes later, we finally arrived at this oh so colorful place to the west of Lisbon! :)
If you go to Lisbon, you should totally seize the opportunity and pay a visit to Sintra! Since I've seen pictures of this unique place, I was full of anticipation to see it by myself! It was a sunny thursday when we've started our trip early in the morning from Rossio train station. After buying our roundtrip tickets for a really fair price (4,30€), we've taken the railway towards Sintra. Around 30 minutes later, we finally arrived at this oh so colorful place to the west of Lisbon! :)
Leaving behind the more expensive tourist bus, we decided to take the public transport (bus 434) which was bringing us on top of the Sintra hills. Surrounded by an impressive flora, the ascent through the woods has already been very remarkable! It was like crossing a jungle full of green miracles where every now and then another mystical castle appeared to disappear.
As if this place wasn't already magical enough, we suddenly spotted the heart of the park: the Palácio Nacional da Pena. Located on top of the hills, the castle was inspired by the Neuschwanstein Castle and influenced from the Manueline and Moorish styles of architecture. As you can guess, for me the most impressive part of this palace was the combination of various colors. It actually looks just like out of a fairytale! But not only the architecture itself is fairytale material: King Ferdinand II once wanted to build the palace for his wife Maria II - a real proof of love! But unfortunately, the history took a dramatic turn... Tragically, she never had the opportunity to live in this wonderful place. His beloved wife died before completion in 1853.
Our second destination we've reached on foot. The ruinous castle was established by the North African Moors during the 9th century to guard the town of Sintra. When we climbed up the stairs, I was immediately blown away by this impressive construction. There's this long wall which reminded me of the Great Wall of China from which you can enjoy an amazing view of the landscape and even the ocean! But just have look at the pictures to get your own impression! :)
- Sarah
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