The most fascinating fact about the Sintra Royal Palace is its iconic pair of conical chimneys, which stand 33 metres (108 feet) tall over the kitchens and have become the defining symbol of the town. Built in the 15th century, these enormous structures were a practical solution for ventilating the vast kitchens needed to prepare banquets for the entire royal court. But this is just one of many surprising details in Portugal's best-preserved medieval palace.

Facts About Sintra's Town Palace

From royal scandals immortalised on ceilings to a king's prison cell, the Sintra Royal Palace (also known as the Town Palace or Palácio da Vila) is filled with stories. It was continuously inhabited by royalty for nearly 500 years and is the only royal palace in Portugal to survive the medieval period almost completely intact.

  1. It has Moorish Origins from the 10th Century. Before it was a Portuguese royal residence, the site was home to a palace for the region's Moorish rulers during the era of Al-Andalus. The earliest mention comes from Arab geographer Al-Bakri in the 10th century.
  2. The Kitchen Chimneys are 33 Metres High. The two white conical chimneys are the palace's most famous feature and a landmark for the entire town of Sintra. They rise directly from the huge kitchens, which were designed to cook for hundreds of people at a time.
  3. The Magpie Room Tells a Story of Royal Gossip. The ceiling of the Sala das Pegas (Magpie Room) is famously painted with 136 magpies. Legend says King John I commissioned it after his wife, Queen Philippa of Lancaster, caught him kissing a lady-in-waiting. To stop the courtly gossip (the chattering of the magpies), he had them painted holding the motto "por bem" (for honour), one for each woman of the court.
  4. The Swan Room Ceiling Has a Precise Number of Swans. The magnificent Sala dos Cisnes (Swan Room) has a ceiling decorated with octagonal panels, each painted with a swan. The total number of swans, 30, is said to equal the age of the bride, Infanta Isabel of Portugal, when she married Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.
  5. It Houses Europe's Largest Collection of Mudéjar Tiles. The palace contains the most important collection of Hispano-Moresque (or Mudéjar) tiles in Portugal. These beautiful, geometrically patterned tiles were imported from Seville, Spain, in the early 16th century by King Manuel I.
  6. The Coats-of-Arms Room is a Map of Power. Built between 1515-1518, the Sala dos Brasões (Coats-of-Arms Room) features a stunning gilded dome. It displays the coats of arms of King Manuel I, his children, and the 72 most powerful noble families of the time, creating a visual map of the kingdom's hierarchy.
  7. One Coat of Arms Was Deliberately Erased. In the Coats-of-Arms Room, the crest of the Távora family was removed. This was done after the family was accused of treason and conspiracy against King Joseph I in the 18th century, serving as a powerful warning to other nobles.
  8. It Was a King's Prison for Nine Years. The palace has a darker history as the prison of the mentally unstable King Afonso VI. Deposed by his brother Peter II, he was confined to a room in the palace from 1676 until his death in 1683.
  9. It Survived the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. While many buildings in the region were destroyed by the catastrophic earthquake of 1755, the Sintra Royal Palace suffered relatively minor damage. It was repaired, preserving its unique medieval and 16th-century silhouette.
  10. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1995, the palace, along with the entire surrounding cultural landscape of Sintra, was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising its unique blend of nature and human artistry.

Frequently asked questions

What are the two cones on Sintra Palace?

The two large white cones are the palace's kitchen chimneys. Standing at 33 metres tall, they are the most recognisable feature of the Sintra Royal Palace and an icon of the town.

What is the story of the Magpie Room?

The Magpie Room's ceiling is painted with 136 magpies, representing the gossiping ladies of the court. King John I had it painted to quell rumours after he was caught kissing a lady-in-waiting, with each magpie holding a scroll saying "por bem" (for honour).

Is Sintra Royal Palace the oldest palace in Portugal?

It is the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal and the only one to survive from that era largely intact. Its history as a royal residence stretches from the 15th to the 19th centuries, with its origins tracing back to a 10th-century Moorish structure.

These facts offer just a glimpse into the rich history held within the walls of the Sintra Royal Palace. The best way to experience its unique character is to explore its rooms and courtyards through guided tours.