Sintra - Quinta da Regaleira - The Chapel -The Palace -The Lake and the Gods promenade - The 9th of June 2019

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We approached the Roman Catholic Chapel, whose spire we had seen from above and which actually stood in front of the Palace's main façade. Going inside wasn't allowed but we could still make out the rather interesting floor depicting the armillary sphere of the Portuguese Discoveries and the Order of the Christ Cross surrounded by pentagrams and the fresco above the altar which depicted Jesus crowning the Virgin Mary. I can understand why visits were not permited because it was obvious it could not accommodate the number of visitors and would definitely have to be a controlled sort of attendance.

We then went across to visit the Palace, whose stucoes above the main entrance and the Gothic pinnacles and capitals caught visitors' immediate attention. We visited the Hunting Room first and I must say I was particularly impressed by the carving artistry of the hunting scenes.

The decoration of the Visiting or "Renaissance" Room, which we visited afterwards was equally impressive. Inspired by the Palace of the Dukes of Urbino in Italy the walls were nevertheless dotted with decorative features depicting the monogram "CM", (standing for the Carvalho Monteiro family) interlaced with ribbons with the engraved names of their owners (António Augusto and Perpétua).

The most exquisite one in terms of decoration was the Kings Room, which used to be the Billiard Room. Its ceiling was decorated with portraits of 20 Kings and 4 Queens of Portugal, as well as the Coats of Arms of four Portuguese cities.

Prior to leaving Quinta da Regaleira we walked along the Gods' Promenade lined by several statues of classical Gods till we reached the Labyrinthic Groto and the lake, whose water was shockingly green.

I had spent a marvellous morning and  just wondered why I had not visited Regaleira before. For all I had been willing to there must have been a mixed fear of the mysterious grottos and tunnels people had described to me and which are in fact not frightening at all. I have a feeling I'll be visiting it again soon.