Palácio da Pena

On the highest peaks of the Serra de Sintra stands the spectacular palace of Pena, an
ecclectic medley of architectural styles built in the 19th century for the husband of the
young Queen Maria II, Ferdinand Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. It stands over the ruins of a
Heironymite monastery founded here in the 15th century on the site of the chapel of Nossa
Senhora da Pena. The palace became a museum in 1910, after the declaration of the republic.
 

The road which leads
around the side on the
way to the entrance
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The "Triton Arch" is
encrusted with Neo-
Manueline decoration
and is guarded by a
fierce sea monter.
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Our friendly sea monster
seems to have his arms
around some sort of
tree. Perhaps an earth
tree or tree of life
motif so common in
mythology?
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An ugly little bugger,
he makes for great
decoration!


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