Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Pena Palace (Palácio de Pena)
This magical hilltop palace sits high above Sintra, above the Moorish Castle ruins. In the
19th century, Portugal had a very romantic prince, German-born Prince Ferdinand. A con-
temporary and cousin of Bavaria's “Mad” King Ludwig (of Disneyesque Neuschwanstein
Castle fame), Ferdinand was also a cousin of England's Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's
husband). Flamboyant Ferdinand hired a German architect to build a fantasy castle, mix-
ing elements of German and Portuguese style. He ended up with a crazy Neo-fortified
casserole of Gothic towers, Renaissance domes, Moorish minarets, Manueline carving,
Disney playfulness, and an
azulejo
(tile) toilet for his wife.
