Event Venues | National Palace of Sintra
Located in the centre of Sintra, defining its landscape with the unmistakeable silhouette formed by its two conical chimneys crowning the royal kitchen, there stands the only palace that spans the entire history of Portugal.
The current Palace of Sintra emerges out of many royal palaces. This is a set of buildings that were constructed, added and adapted over the course of many centuries with the actual date of the founding of the country’s oldest palace a question that still remains to be resolved. In all likelihood, the first building was constructed in around the 10th or 11th century when Sintra was under Moorish rule. At the end of the Middle Ages, the Palace of Sintra was at the heart of a large territory under the care of the Queens of Portugal while also one of the preferred destinations for Portuguese monarchs. A guardian of memories and witnessing some of the most defining episodes in the history of Portugal, the Palace of Sintra provides its visitors with the opportunity to take a tour through time and set out in search of other lives so very different to our own.
The National Palace of Sintra may be commandeered for state events. Should this occur, any events scheduled for coinciding dates may have be cancelled.
Swans Hall
Up until the 19th century, this was where the court would gather for banquets, music soirees, public receptions, religious festivities, and even burial ceremonies.
Capacity: 100 pax sitting | 130 pax standing
Accessibility: Accessible to people with mobility restrictions
Characteristics: Direct access to the Central Patio
Manueline Room
During the reign of King Manuel I this was the Great Hall. Its doors and windows feature twisted strands of rope and plant motifs, typical of the decorative style of that period. This room gives access to Queen Maria Pia’s Apartments Covered Balcony, whith a stunning view over the historic center and the Moorish Castle.
Capacity: 60 pax sitting| 80 pax standing
Accessibility: Accessible to people with mobility restrictions
Characteristics: Direct access to the Central Patio and the balcony over the historic center.
Central Patio
Patio with a water mirror, a twisted column with fountain and the Water Grotto, lined with eighteenth century tiles. From here, you can see the twinned chimneys characteristic of this palace.
Capacity: 70 pax sitting |100 pax standing
Accessibility: Accessible to people with mobility restrictions
Characteristics: Direct access to the Manueline Room, the Swan Room, the Lion’s Patio and the gardens
Lion's House
This is where you can find the palace’s cafeteria, which was recently restored and opened to the public. It is located near the old vegetable gardens, now transformed into ornamental gardens.
Capacity: 40 pax sitting | 50 pax standing
Accessibility: Acessible to people with mobility restrictions, using an electric platform
Characteristics: Direct access to the Palace Courtyard and Gardens. Space adequate for sound animation
Lion's Patio
This small sixteenth century patio features a water mirror with a lion’s head fountain, as well as hispano-moresque tiles decorating the walls.
Capacity: 40 pax sitting | 50 pax standing
Accessibility: Acessible to people with mobility restrictions, using an electric platform
Characteristics: Direct access to the Palace Courtyard and Gardens. Space adequate for sound animation
Gardens
The Preta Garden, recently restored, is a natural viewpoint over the Sintra hills and the historic center. The Araucaria Garden, the Vegetable Gardens, the Tanquinhos Patio and the Prince’s Garden complete the set, which is always framed with magnificent views.
Capacity: 100 pax standing
Accessibility: Access through steps
Characteristics: The proximity to the Lion’s House allows the use of these infrastructures
