Loading Page...

Who lived in the Palace of Pena?

The second phase of occupation of Pena by the Royal Family saw the presence of King Carlos I (1863-1908) and Queen Amelie of Orleans (1865-1951). These monarchs would spend part of the summer season in the palace before then moving onto the Citadel of Cascais for further vacations.



The Park and National Palace of Pena in Sintra, Portugal, was the visionary creation and summer residence of King Ferdinand II (the "Artist-King") and his wife, Queen Maria II. Built in the 19th century on the ruins of a 16th-century Hieronymite monastery, it served as a private retreat for the Portuguese Royal Family. After the death of Queen Maria II in 1853, Ferdinand lived there with his second wife, Elise Hensler, the Countess of Edla, who significantly influenced the design of the surrounding park and the chalet that bears her name. The palace remained a royal residence until 1910, when the Portuguese monarchy was overthrown during the Republican Revolution. The last royal to spend significant time there was Queen Amélie of Orléans, who left for exile from the nearby Praia das Maçãs. Today, the palace is preserved exactly as it was when the royals lived there, with rooms like the "Great Hall" and the "Royal Dining Room" still featuring the original furniture and personal artifacts, offering a rare glimpse into the eclectic and romantic lifestyle of the 19th-century Portuguese monarchy.

People Also Ask

Built on top of the hill as a result of the creative genius of Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, king consort of Queen Maria II, the Park and Palace of Pena are Portugal's greatest example of nineteenth-century Romanticism and the most important element in the Cultural Landscape of Sintra World Heritage Site.

MORE DETAILS

Interior. The interiors of the Pena Palace were adapted to serve as the Summer residence of the royal family. It has amazing stuccos, painted walls in trompe-l'œil and various revetments in tile from the 19th century, forming part of the numerous royal collections.

MORE DETAILS

It became the summer residence of the Royal family. Under his explicit command, the monastery was painted in red and the new building in yellow. In 1994 the original colours, which disappeared with time, red for the former monastery and yellow for the new palace were restored.

MORE DETAILS

To reach the Palace of Pena, follow the signposted footpath as far as the main entrance to the Park of Pena and then climb to the Palace. This walk takes around 30 minutes.

MORE DETAILS

The palace was then occupied by King Carlos I and Queen Consort Amelia of Orleans who used it as a summer residence until Portugal became a republic in 1910. It is now the National Palace of Pena and a major tourist attraction in Portugal, with up to 800,000 people visiting a year.

MORE DETAILS

Don't be like me—wear sneakers, or at least sturdier sandals. Due to its altitude and location closer to the coast, Sintra is often chillier than Lisbon, which was definitely the case when we visited. I recommend dressing in layers, and bringing a light jacket or sweater.

MORE DETAILS

Why are there so many palaces and grand mansions in Sintra? Historically, the reason was due to the slightly cooler climate that the hills of the Serra de Sintra provide. This enticed the nobility of Portugal to construct their summer residences here.

MORE DETAILS

The Castle of the Moors is a hilltop medieval castle located in the central Portuguese civil parish of Santa Maria e São Miguel, in the municipality of Sintra, about 25 km northwest of Lisbon.

MORE DETAILS

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and it has been home to 39 monarchs over almost 1,000 years. While the Castle was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, he did not live there but instead used it as a defensive base to guard the western approach to London.

MORE DETAILS

Sintra, like many parts of Portugal, is generally safe for tourists. However, it's not completely immune to petty crimes such as pickpocketing, particularly in crowded areas and public transportation. Always remain vigilant and take standard precautions to protect your belongings.

MORE DETAILS

Sintra is a charming destination in the Lisbon district of Portugal. The town is best known for its castles, palaces, and the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains.

MORE DETAILS

A unique Historic Wedding Venue in Portugal Built in 1836, Pena Palace Wedding Venue in Portugal, in portuguese Palacio da Pena, represents Romanesque, vintage, and romantic architecture, will provide you with the most beautiful Fairytale Castle Wedding Venue in Sintra.

MORE DETAILS

The Pena Palace is a spectacular building situated in beautiful grounds. If you like, you could spend hours just walking the grounds. The exterior of the palace is like a fairy tale, and the inside is quite ornate. There were no line-ups when I was there (January) but the summer might be different.

MORE DETAILS