Pena National Palace

Overview

Standing on top of a hill above the town of Sintra is the iconic Pena National Palace or Palacio da Pena, known to be one of the best examples of 19th century Romantic architecture in the world. It is also a protected national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the top attractions in the whole of Portugal. The colorful palace was designed by King Ferdinand II, an eccentric king who wanted the building to represent that of an opera. The pink and lemon facades of the palace stand out in stark contrast to the green forest that surrounds it. Pena Palace is a mix of a variety of different architectural styles including Neo-Islamic, Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Manueline. While its exterior consists of towers, domes and turrets, the palace's interior is known for its painted walls, stained-glass windows, amazing stuccos. Visitors will get the chance to see King Carlos' Apartments, as well as Queen Amélia's Apartments, the Queen's Terrace, the Smoking Room, the Reception Room, the Kitchen, the Royal Dining Room, the Noble Hall and numerous other important rooms. The view of the surrounding greenery and hills, from the palace, is simply breathtaking. Also while here, visitors must make it a point to explore Pena Park; the lush forest which surrounds the palace.

Prayer Facilities

While Muslims visiting Pena National Palace will not be able to find prayer facilities within the attraction, they should be able to find a secluded area outdoors to offer their prayers. If they are unable to do so, they will have to return to their accommodation at prayer times, since there are no known mosques in the town of Sintra. There are however a few mosques in Lisbon, which is located about 45 minutes away from Sintra.

Halal Food

Visitors to Pena Palace will not be able to find a food outlet. While there are numerous cafés and restaurants in the town of Sintra, none of these will be Halal certified. Muslim visitors will therefore have to dine on seafood and vegetarian dishes at a local non-Halal restaurant. Muslim tourists will also be able to find some Halal restaurants in the city of Lisbon.

Must See

• The different architectural styles
• The rooms mentioned above
• And the park

Location

Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, Portugal

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