The history of Pena Palace begins not with a king, but with a humble medieval chapel. The current fairytale palace stands on the site of a former Hieronymite monastery, which was built in 1503 on the orders of King Manuel I. This religious site was later devastated by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and abandoned, only to be rediscovered and transformed in 1838 by the artist-king, Ferdinand II.
Medieval Origins and the Monastery
The story of the site starts in the Middle Ages with a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pena, built on a high peak in the Sintra mountains following a legendary apparition of the Virgin Mary. In 1503, King Manuel I, known for his patronage of the Manueline architectural style, ordered the construction of a monastery on the site for the Order of Saint Jerome. For centuries, it was a quiet place of contemplation for a small group of monks.
The monastery's peaceful existence was shattered in 1755. The Great Lisbon Earthquake, one of the deadliest in history, reduced the building to ruins. While the chapel itself survived largely intact, the rest of the structure was left abandoned and exposed to the elements for decades.
A King's Romantic Vision
In 1838, a young Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who became King consort Ferdinand II after marrying Queen Maria II, acquired the ruined monastery and the surrounding lands. An educated and artistic man, Ferdinand was captivated by the dramatic landscape of Sintra and the German Romanticism movement. He decided to transform the ruins into a magnificent summer palace for the royal family.
Ferdinand enlisted the help of Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege, a German mineralogist and amateur architect, to bring his vision to life. However, the king was no passive client; he actively participated in the design, contributing sketches and ideas. He envisioned a palace that was not bound by a single style but was an eclectic and fantastical fusion of influences, much like an opera set.
Construction and Eclectic Design
Construction began around 1842 and the main structure was completed by 1854. The project cleverly incorporated the surviving parts of the 16th-century monastery, which now form the red-painted section of the palace, often called the 'Old Palace'. A completely new wing, the yellow-painted 'New Palace', was added with larger state rooms and grander features.
The final result is a breathtaking combination of styles:
- Neo-Gothic: Pointed arches, turrets, and vaulted ceilings evoke medieval cathedrals.
- Neo-Manueline: Decorative elements inspired by Portugal's 16th-century Age of Discovery, such as armillary spheres and maritime motifs.
- Neo-Islamic: Moorish influences are visible in the geometric tilework and arched courtyards, a nod to Portugal's past.
- Neo-Renaissance: Classical details and sculptural elements, like the dramatic Triton Portico, add to the eclectic mix.
Royal Residence to National Monument
Pena Palace served as a beloved summer retreat for generations of the Portuguese royal family. After Ferdinand II's death in 1885, the palace was purchased by the Portuguese State in 1889 to keep it within the royal family's use. Its role as a royal residence came to an abrupt end with the 5th October 1910 Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy.
Queen Amélia, the last queen of Portugal, spent her final night in the country at Pena before going into exile. Following the revolution, the palace was declared a National Monument and converted into a museum, its interiors preserved to reflect the final days of the monarchy. In 1995, the entire Cultural Landscape of Sintra, with Pena Palace at its heart, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Frequently asked questions
When was Pena Palace built?
The main construction of Pena Palace as we see it today took place between 1842 and 1854. It was built on the ruins of a 16th-century monastery that was destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
Who built Pena Palace?
Pena Palace was commissioned by King Ferdinand II of Portugal. He collaborated with the German architect Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege, but Ferdinand himself was the main artistic force behind the project, earning him the nickname 'the Artist-King'.
Why was Pena Palace built?
King Ferdinand II built Pena Palace to be a romantic summer residence for the Portuguese royal family. He fell in love with the Sintra region and wanted to create a fantastical, artistic retreat from the ruins of an old monastery.
Step into this rich history yourself. Plan your visit and book tickets to explore the magnificent rooms and breathtaking views of Pena Palace.