ECLAIT VOYAGER : National Palace of Sintra

This is a palace that paints the history of the Portuguese voyagers.

Originally built by the Moors in the 10th century, the castle later became a residence for the Christian kings, after the conquest of Lisbon by Afonso Henriques in 1147. The palace did not undergo much transformation until the reign of King Joan I (1385-1433) and later by king Manuel I (1495-1521), where the funds came largely from the new riches found by the voyagers.

Apart from the patterns inspired by nature and geometric shapes (Mudejar glazed tiles), the doors and windows are also ornately decorated in the Manueline style. The rooms were designed such that the ones further away from the main hall had increasing privacy from the Magpies Room (where officials were hosted) to the back chambers (i.e guest rooms)

Magpies Room

The Magpies room was used to host important ambassadors and governmental officials, and received its name with a wooden ceiling full of Magpies.

Magpie Room

King Sebastio's Bed chamber

Coat of Arms Room

This room is one of the finest example of the Manueline style and is located at the highest point of the castle. On the ceiling you will find the coat of arms of the 8 children from King D. Manuel I, and below it are the coat of arms from 72 of the noble families in Portugal.

There is also an inscription that says:

" Through the efforts of loyal services were these won and with such others shall be preserved".

Coat of Arms Room

Apart from the ornately decorated ceiling, the blue and white glazed tiles are also done by an artist known as Master PMP, which is particularly representative of the Mudejar decor. You will also find similar ones in the Water Grotto.

Water Grotto

The Water Grotto depicted the Creation of the World, the Four Seasons with elaborate fountains, gardens and mythical themes. Water would sprout from tiny orifices, keeping the space cool and the ladies "entertained".

Palatine Chapel

The chapel ceiling is embossed with geometric lines representing the stars and moons, very much alike the ones we saw at Alhambra. The walls were entirely covered with fresco painting of doves carrying olive branches, which despite the use of red color, somehow gives off a calming effect.