Portugal: Sintra – Palacio Nacional de Sintra

The Palacio Nacional de Sintra is right in the heart of Sintra and holds the title of the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal, having been lived in continuously by the Portuguese monarchy from the early 15th century until 1910. The palace is a masterpiece of the Mudejar architecture, it was a moorish fortress before Christian conquest. Over the centuries, successive Portuguese kings added new wings, courtyards, and rooms, creating a blend of Gothic and Islamic styles. The palace contains the largest collection of azulejos (ceramic tiles) in Europe. Dozens f lavish rooms here, one more impressive than the previous, but without a doubt the most stunning is the massive Sala dos Brasoes – gilded an Maine’s domed ceiling and blue tiles all around at the bottom.