Explore The Pena Palace, Portugal 🇵🇹

North of Qashqais lies the enchanting town of Sintra. Nestled in the pine-covered hills of the Sintra mountain range, the colourful and majestic Pena Palace stands out as one of Europe's finest castles. Getting to the top can be a bit of a challenge as the meandering road is narrow and steep. Once you do arrive, be sure to wear comfortable shoes as there is still a bit of walking required to reach the entrance. The Pena Palace is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. The entire structure stands on rocks and has an eclectic mix of architectural styles. The palace has a fascinating history dating back to the Middle Ages when a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pena was built on the site. Legend has it that the construction was inspired by an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Later, a monastery was added to the site, which was home to 18 monks and served as a place for meditation. Unfortunately, the monastery was destroyed in the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, leaving only the chapel standing. It was King Ferdinand who later transformed the site into a summer palace for the Portuguese royal family. The last Queen of Portugal, Queen Amelia, spent her final night in the palace before going into exile. Today, the Pena Palace is a national monument and museum featuring beautifully painted walls in optical illusion style, as well as a vast collection of royal artifacts. The palace's kitchen is particularly impressive, with hundreds of copper pots and pans used for royal banquets. If you enjoyed this video, please show your support by liking and subscribing to our channel. Your support helps us continue to create great destination content. Thank you for watching!