back next Lisbon, Portugal Night and Daytime Photos PURCHASE GREAT MEMORIES OF YOUR TRIP TO SINTRA, EVORA AND CASCAIS, PORTUGAL- FOR HOME OR OFFICE. This gallery features Sintra, Cascais and Evora, Portugal images including the UNESCO World Heritage Sites located at these site and much more. Sintra The National Palace The National Palace dates to Moorish times, but most of what you visit is from the 15th Century reign of King John I. This gallery shows you the Palace from a hill top view, and the Swan Room which was used for banquets, the Stag Room which honors Portugal's nobility. The Stag Room featurs a very ornate ceiling showing the coat of arms for King John I, and those of his children. This is the westernmost room of the westernmost palace on the European continent. Also featured are a cabinet in the palace with the Jewish Star of David, and an ornate chandeleir. The Palacio Nacional Sintra is the best-preserved medieval royal palace in Portugal and was a favourite with the Portuguese nobility. The minimalistic gothic exterior of the palace hides a wonder of decorative state rooms and the national palace is a highly recommended attraction while visiting Sintra. The most notable exterior feature are the two massive chimneys, which protrude from the kitchens which have become the icon of Sintra. Camara Municipal de Sintra Camara Municipal de Sintra or the Municipal Council of Sintra or Town Hall. The spire of the Sintra town hall is glazed with reflective green and white tiles displaying motifs of the Portuguese coat of arms. The main spire is flanked by four smaller spires while at the top of the spire is an armillary sphere.The Camara Municipal follows the Manueline style of architecture and includes false battlements and beautiful arched Neo-Manueline styled windows. This style of architecture was championed by Adas Bermudes and the building follows many of his designs and drawings. The building was completed in 1910 and it must be a pleasure for the council workers of Sintra to be employed in such a wondrous building. The Camara Municipal de Sintra was constructed on the site of the old Chapel of Sao Sebastião. Praia do Guincho Praia do Guincho is a beautiful beach that is situated on the westward facing side of the Lisbon coastline. The beach lies within the Serra de Sintra national park and this provides a remote and wild setting and ambience. The main attraction of the Praia do Guincho is the massive waves and near constant breeze that are ideal for professional surfers. The Serra de Sintra coastline is located north of Cascais against the Atlantic Ocean. As these beaches are protect by the Serra de Sintra National Park there is limited tourist development. Visitors to this region are instead treated to a more wild and rugged beach experience. Cascais Cascais is a charming Portuguese fishing town that is situated on the western Lisbon coastline. Cascais has grand houses, carefully maintained parks, a sandy beach, and numerous free museums. There is a lively and social atmosphere about the town and it is only a short walk to glorious sandy beaches.The historic town center is filled with traditional restaurants, open air cafes and late night bars. Just north of Cascais is the pretty Serra de Sintra coastline. Evora Evora is a charming city that is situated in the heart of the arid Alentejo region of central Portugal. Historically, Evora was a significant centre for both trade and religion, which resonates through the sheer variety of tourist sites. Most of which are all conveniently contained within the city’s ancient walls. Highlights include; the impressive Diana Roman Temple, majestic cathedral, intriguing prehistoric standing stones, aqueducts, and the macabre Chapel of Bones. Evora contains one of the Iberian Peninsula's greatest 16th century building projects, the Aqueduto da Água de Prata (the Evora aqueduct). The aqueduct provided clean drinking water to Evora by connecting the city to the nearest constant flowing river, 9km to the north. There are two main sights to view the Evora Aqueduct: inside the city walls, and the main arches to the north of Evora. The later are more maginificent. The Sé Cathedral (Catedral da Sé) of Evora is the ancient religious seat of Portugal, and the construction of the highly fortified cathedral in 1280 confirmed the Christian Crusaders conquest over the North African Moors. The cathedral is unique of its era, as most Romanesque-styled buildings have a clear line of symmetry running the length of the building. The Sé is markedly different by having two asymmetric towers: one tower finishes with a blue tiled coned spire, while the other is a fortified clock and bell tower. Surrounding the main portal (entrance) are 14th century statues of the apostles and these statues are free standing, which again is unique for Portuguese churches. The cathedral is believed to have been constructed on the site of an important Mosque and was a symbolic act by the 12th century crusaders. The cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and a rare representation of her heavily pregnant is located at the altar. Images and statues of Mary’s pregnancy were commonly found in Europe during the medieval age, but were eradicated on the orders of the Pope during the late 15th century. The gothic statue of Mary pregnant is the only example found within Portugal. Chapel of Bones-Capela dos Ossos Chapel of Bones was constructed out of necessity and is more than just a religious curiosity. During the 16th Century, the graveyards in Evora were overcrowded so bones were exhumed to make way for new bodies to be buried. The bones were respectfully cast into the cement and housed in this place of worship. It is the final resting place of hundreds of bodies. The exhumation aligned with the common beliefs of the era and followed the Counter-Reformation ideology that the bodies would be closer to God. Convento do Espinherio Convento do Espinherio, located conveniently close to the World Heritage Site of Evora, dates back to the 15th century when, during the reign of King Alfonso V, a church and convent were built. Today, Convento do Espinherio is a luxurious 59-room hotel set amid eight hectares of beautiful gardens. The Cisterna, located in the Gothic water depository, and Pulpitus, set in the old kitchen once used by the monks, are delightful places to indulge in a nightcap. The hotel maintains the ancient church and artifacts shown in this gallery. Photos shot while on a Tauck Tour of Portugal and Spain in September, 2016. Lisbon Travel Information