Pena Palace

Pena Palace is a 19th-century Romantic palace perched on one of the peaks of the Sintra Hills, west of Lisbon, Portugal. On a clear day it can be spotted from Lisbon and many parts of the metropolitan area. Its yellow and red towers on a rocky ridge are among the most recognisable sights in the country.

Where does Pena come from?

A chapel stood on this hill as early as the 12th century, built after reports of apparitions of Our Lady. In the early 16th century King Manuel I ordered a monastery to be built here. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake almost completely destroyed it, and only the chapel survived.

In 1838 Ferdinand II, known as the "King of Arts" and husband of Queen Maria II, bought the ruins and the surrounding land. He commissioned the German architect and engineer Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege to rebuild the site. Work ran from 1842 to 1854, and the new palace was joined to the old monastery walls.

What does the palace look like?

Pena is a showcase of eclectic Romantic architecture. Gothic, Manueline, Moorish and Renaissance motifs meet in a single building. Its facades are painted in vivid yellow and red, and the skyline of towers and battlements looks like something from a fairy tale. It is regarded as one of the major monuments of the Romantic era worldwide.

Status and recognition

The palace is a National Monument of Portugal. Together with other landmarks nearby it is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra. In July 2007 it was named one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It is still occasionally used for official occasions by the President of the Portuguese Republic and other senior state officials.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Pena Palace?

In the Sintra Hills, above the town of Sintra, at about 38.79° N, 9.39° W, west of Lisbon.

When was it built?

The current palace was built between 1842 and 1854 on the site of an early 16th-century monastery.

Who designed it?

Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege drew up the design for King Ferdinand II.

Which styles can I see?

Gothic, Manueline, Moorish and Renaissance elements in a colourful Romantic interpretation.

When can I visit?

According to travel sources the palace opens from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm and the park from 9 am to 7 pm. Hours can change, so check the operator's website before you go.

Tips for visitors

The palace crowns a hilltop, so views over the surrounding landscape are a big part of the visit. The site is a former monastery estate surrounded by a park, so allow extra time to stroll the grounds. Many visitors combine Pena with other Sintra monuments, which together form the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape.

Pena shows how the 19th century imagined the architecture of the past. Ferdinand II did not recreate a single style but combined several into a spectacular whole. In doing so the building kept its monastic past and became a symbol of Portuguese Romanticism.