Issu sintra (excerpt fr lisbon revisited

11 Sintra - The Mountain of the Moon

Sintra, (about 50 Km away from Lisbon), is a legendary place, with its valleys and mountains, fountains and exuberant gardens, so peaceful and inspiring to our souls.

Classified as World Heritage by the UNESCO for its magnificent monuments and unique landscape, this place owns an almost palpable mystic aura, full of charm and mysteries.

The foundation of the town of Sintra, started with Greeks, Celts and a tribe belonging to the old Lusitanian, and a temple built some 308 years before Christ, dedicated to the moon.

The Celts gave the moon the name of Cynthia, and of this word Sintra took its current name, in the corruption of Cynthia, Cintra.

The Arabs, who once dominated this territory, retained the name of Cynthia for the village and the hills of Cintra, but could not pronounce “SS” and changed it to CHINTRA (XINTRA) or ZINTIRA. The mountain of Sintra was also called by the Romans Luna Mons, Latin for ‘promontory of the mooToday’s Sintra coat of arms shows a castle tower on a green field, flanked by 2 half-moons under stars.

The oldest hotel on the Iberian Peninsula and the first of its kind in Europe is Lawrence’s Hotel in Sintra. It has been operating since 1764 and became famous after the visit of Lord George Byron in 1809.

The hotel Guestbook contains lots of revealing quotes written by all times visitors.

Some examples

„Sintra is a glorious Eden” (Lord Byron)

“Sintra, the world’s most blessed place almost brings me tears to my eyes” (Robert Southey, 19th century).

Among Sintra’s most impressive monuments are: Castelo dos Mouros (Moors Castle) goes back to the peninsular occupation by the Moors (8th century).

Palácio Nacional de Sintra (National Palace of Sintra), known as ‘Palace of the Village” or ‘Royal Palace’ for being the summer residence of the royal family (15th century).

Palácio Nacional da Pena (National Palace of Pena), a genuine example of Portuguese romantic architecture.

Convento dos Capuchos (Convent of Capuchins), built in 1560 by D. Álvaro de Castro, for the Order of Saint Francis.

Palácio de Monserrate (Palace of Montserrat), a typical example of romantic architecture (oriental style elements abound), with a huge park full of exotic plants and trees.

Quinta da Regaleira (Farm of Regaleira) is a singular, fairy mix of fabulous styles and constructions (gardens, ponds, caves, statues, towers), built by Luigi Martini in the beginning of the 20th century (gardens, ponds, caves, statues, towers), built by Luigi Martini in the beginning of the 20th century.

(Excerpt from the book Lisbon revisited, Ana da Silva

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Lisbon-Revisited-Inspiring-Portuguesecapital/dp/1500873128 )