At the Chalet with the Countess of Edla

In 1869, opera singer Elise Friederike Hensler (1836-1929) married the King Consort of Portugal, Ferdinand II of Saxe-Coburg Gotha (1816-1885), widower of Queen Maria II. Together, they lived out a romantic dream, creating a botanical park in Sintra that is one of the most beautiful landscape creations of Romanticism. 

In the Park of Pena, between winding paths, nooks and crannies, lakes and waterfalls, numerous gardens are created where Hensler – who was given the title of Countess of Edla – and the King devote themselves to their favourite activities: botany, music and art. At the Chalet da Pena, they experienced moments of tranquillity, receiving friends, having picnics, and going for walks and donkey rides. Surrounded by nature, they planted tree species from all over the world, which they looked after as if they were their own family. 

In this dramatised visit, the Countess of Edla welcomes the public on an unforgettable tour of her Chalet and gardens in the Park of Pena, in which visitors are invited to an immersive tour experience, characterised by live musical performances.