Venue Description

The thousand-year-old history of the Palace of the Town of Sintra began during the Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. Already mentioned in texts from the 11th century, the original Moorish Palace became the property of the Portuguese Crown after the conquest of the city of Lisbon by Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, in 1147. It was first subjected to alteration work in 1281, in the reign of King Dinis, and new extensions were later added to the building over time, in the reigns of the kings Dinis, João I and Manuel I, although it has largely maintained its present-day outline since the mid-16th century. The vertical arrangement of its spaces, adapting to the nature of the terrain; the intimate organisation of the interior courtyards, outdoor spaces in which one can hear the sound of running water; and the windows with their surmounted arches are all features that underline the Moorish links.

Accessibility

Manual wheelchairs available on reservation; Sign Language interpreter available at the ticket office via video-call (Serviin); Accessible entranceway by the kitchen ; Possibility of implement ramps which enable access to the Manueline Room, the Archers’ Room and the corridor leading to the Swan Room; Accessible WC in the Manueline Room

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/plan-your-visit-en/accessibility/

Awards List

World Travel Award of the World’s Leading Conservation Company;SIL Real Estate Award, category “Urban Rehabilitation – Tourism” at the 2014 Real Estate of Portugal Salon. Project involved the restructuring and refurbishment of the Palace store, restaurant and cafetería; Camellia Garden of Excellence

Toilets

Accessible WC in the Manueline Room

Staff

Training: • Raising staff awareness towards visitor diversity/ behavioural recommendations • Training of staff in Portuguese sign language