Pena Palace, 19th-century hilltop palace in São Pedro de Penaferrim, Portugal
Description
Palácio da Pena is a hilltop palace on a ridge of the Serra de Sintra, about 480 meters (1575 feet) above sea level. Yellow and red towers rise beside domes and battlements, while terraces and courtyards spread across several levels.
History
King Ferdinand II had a ruined monastery transformed into this palace between 1842 and 1854. The conversion combined neo-Manueline elements with neo-Gothic and Moorish forms that were being revived across Europe at the time.
Culture
The name recalls Nossa Senhora da Pena, in whose honor a chapel once stood on this site. Today visitors from around the world walk through the colored halls and observe the Moorish-style wall coverings.
Practical
The palace sits above Sintra and can be reached on foot or by shuttle bus from the park entrance. The route is steep and requires sturdy footwear, especially when walking up.
Did you know?
A wooden serpent about 16 meters (52 feet) long runs along the walls of the Guardian's Room. This carving represents mythical creatures that appeared often in the stories of the Romantic period.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Sintra (Santa Maria e São Miguel, São Martinho e São Pedro de Penaferrim)).
These castles are located away from the main tourist destinations and represent different periods of European and American architecture. From medieval fortresses to royal residences, each castle tells its own story. The buildings occupy distinctive locations: on islands, in mountain caves, or...
Medieval castles and fortresses span Europe, documenting defense systems and princely seats from the 9th through 16th centuries. These sites include mountaintop strongholds such as Montségur in the Pyrenees, island fortifications like Trakai in Lithuania, and coastal defenses such as Kronborg in...
Earth displays its color range at numerous sites, from geological formations to human-built environments. The selection includes locations on six continents, where natural processes or cultural traditions have resulted in prominent visual displays. The Danxia mountains in China's Gansu province show...
The neo-Moorish architecture developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by European interest in oriental forms. This architectural movement combines Western building elements with Moorish decorative motifs: horseshoe arches, carved arabesques, geometric mosaics, and ornate stuccoes. This...
Castles and palaces from different periods and regions reveal how architecture adapted to military needs, royal ambitions, or religious purposes. Some were built as fortresses, others served as residences or symbols of power. Construction styles range from medieval defenses to grand estates of later...
This collection brings together about forty sites that show the different sides of Lisbon and the Tago Valley. In the city, you walk through the streets of Alfama, see 16th-century buildings such as the Belém Tower and the Hieronymites Monastery, cross the Commerce Square that opens to the river,...
Ponte do Paul
217.9 km
Pelourinho do Fundão
221.3 km
Capela de São Sebastião
219.1 km
Praia Fluvial do Ourondo
211 km
Cine-Teatro Gardunha
221.4 km
Igreja Matriz de Aldeia de Joanes
219.9 km
Edifício dos Paços do Concelho do Fundão
221.3 km
Igreja Paroquial de Dominguizo
225.3 kmCastro da Argemela
216.2 km
Fonte Figueiredo
219.9 kmCapela das Almas
212.3 km
Capela de São Francisco
221.1 km
Fonte da Rua da Fonte
220.2 kmCasa dos Castelo Branco
225.2 km
Capela de Nossa Senhora das Necessidades
224.9 kmSolar Vaz de Carvalho/antigo Colégio de Santo António
221.1 kmPoço Escuro
211.7 kmPoço da Fatela
224.9 kmBaloiço do Miradouro da Amizade
224.6 kmPraia Fluvial de Paul
218.9 kmAçude
210.9 kmLanchas
211 kmSardiSer
217.9 kmMonumento ao emigrante
219.3 kmCarro de Bois
219.2 kmStatue, Work of art
221.3 kmWork of art, statue
221.9 kmMiradouro Quinta da Vargem
221.3 kmReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
impressive and colorful! A very nice walk and climb to the site!
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes