Pena Palace Facts

One of the interesting Pena Palace facts is its colourful exteriors. Located atop the Sintra mountains, the exteriors of the Pena Palace feature an eclectic polychromatic facade influenced by various architectural styles like Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Moorish, and Islamic styles. It is painted in peppy colours like bright yellow and crimson red which gives it a fairytale-like look when seen amidst the lush greenery of the Sintra region. The blue rooftop, the blue tiles, and the white stone ledge add a dash of more vibrant colour to the palace's exteriors.

In the medieval period, there was a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pena in the place where the palace is now. In 1493, King John II and Queen Leonor visited this site to fulfil a vow. After that, King Manuel I constructed a monastery on the site that was donated to the Order of Saint Jerome. In that monastery, 18 monks lived for quite some time and this is one of the least known Pena Palace facts.

One of the tragic Pena Palace facts is that the monastery was significantly ruined by lightning that struck the monastery in the 18th century and the catastrophic earthquake that struck the city in 1755. In 1833, King Ferdinand II decided to construct the palace after he bought the chapel, the Castle of the Moors and the neighbouring sites and estates. He appointed the German architect Baron Wilhelm von Eschwege to design a lavish summer retreat for his family. The 14 monk cells in the monastery were refurbished into larger rooms of the palace.

Medieval Chapel Site Transformed

Do Checkout: How to Get to Pena Palace

The architecture of the Pena Palace is influenced by medieval Catholic, Islamic, Scientific romanticism, and Greek mythology and features Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Moorish, and Islamic styles. Another fascinating Pena palace fact is that the castle has a gateway that depicts Triton, the Greek God of the Sea. The foundation, the walls, and the gateways of the castle are carved out from the Sintra Mountains. Highlights of the palace include the magnificent clock tower and the wide terrace with beautiful views.

The entrance of the Pena Palace is decorated with spheres and the arches here display interlacing serpents. The interiors look magnificent, flaunting Victorian and Edwardian styles. The Great Hall or the Billiards Room here is another Pena Palace fact as it is the largest room in the Pena Palace and is designed in Gothic style. It has a huge gold-plated 72-candle chandelier, 4 petroleum lamps and torch-holder candelabras. The stained glass of the chapel conveys political legitimacy. 

King Ferdinand II converted the monastery ruins into a beautiful palace with large rooms, towers, a drawbridge, parapet paths, and an access tunnel. The luxury of the palace combined with the peaceful surroundings of the Sintra regions made the palace a perfect place for the Portugal monarchs to spend the summers. King Ferdinand II, Carlos I and his Queen stayed in the Palace for a limited time before moving to the Citadel of Cascais. One more addition to the list of Pena palace facts is that Prince Manuel II, son of Carlos I also resided in the Pena Palace.

From being a chapel to being a monastery before the construction of the Pena Palace, the history of this Disneyland-like castle spans centuries. Considering its rich history, the Pena Palace was declared a National Monument in 1910. Later in 1995, this beautiful monument made its way to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and this is one of the popularly known Pena Palace facts across the world. In 2013, it became a member of the European Royal Residence Network and in 2020, the palace became a part of the European Route of Historic Gardens.

In 2010, the Mexican Embassy inaugurated a garden at the palace. In 2011, they opened the Chalet and Garden of Condessa d'Edla with a concert where the Countess sang. In 2011, they also opened the Rose Garden in Monserrate Park and the ceremony was attended by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. In 2017, the Pena Palace had a special video concert outside the National Palace of Queluz. In 2021, they made a new route called Lagos e Fontes and fixed the water system to make the old-style water games work again in the gardens from the 18th century.

When Queen Amalie passed away in 1951, the Pena Palace fell into despair. Later in 2000, restoration efforts to fix the palace started and the job was taken care of by Parques de Sintra. The fund for restoration was sought from the EEA Grants in 2010. In 2011, the Chalet and Garden of Condessa d'Edla were reopened for public visits after restoration. In 2012, the Pena Palace got back its signature vibrant colors and in 2014, the Great Hall of Pena was inaugurated.

The Pena Park, also known as Parque de Pena is one of the most exciting Pena Palace facts. The park is spread across 200 hectares of lush green forest. This green heaven is home to several species of plants brought from various parts of the world like North American Sequoia, Lawson’s Cypress, Magnolia, Western Red Cedar, Chinese Ginkgo, and Japanese Cryptomeria. The park has a huge collection of ferns and tree ferns that were originally brought from Australia and New Zealand. The park features a complex network of winding narrow passages that lead to scenic viewpoints in the park.

The Pena Palace located in the Sintra Mountains is one of the major tourist attractions in that region. Every year about 18 to 20 million tourists visit the palace. The palace has been carefully preserved and restored and renovated several times to conserve its romanticism. The palace has several guided tours to give the tourists an insight into the rich Portugal history. Thus, The palace contributes significantly to the nation's income.

One of the least known Pena Palace facts is that, in recognition of its historical and cultural significance, Pena Palace reveals that it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The palace and its surrounding park are considered an outstanding example of 19th-century Romanticism, blending various architectural styles to create a unique and picturesque masterpiece. The palace's architectural and artistic elements, as well as its historical and cultural significance, make it a must-visit destination for travellers interested in history, art and architecture.