Explore Pena Park | Best Things to do, Visitor's Guide & More

Pena Park | The Park of Pena Palace

The Park of Pena Palace is as impressive as the palace itself. Located in Sintra, Portugal, the park provides a calming atmosphere in the middle of the town. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its diverse flora and fauna, where you’ll find rare species and exotic trees from around the world. Pena Palace Park is the perfect place to relax and visualize the elegant lives of Pena Palace’s original residents. Read on as we explore more about the park.

History of Pena Park In A Nutshell

12th century - The site of Pena Palace and Pena Palace Park belonged to a chapel in the 12th-century chapel.

15th-17th century - The chapel was used as a Royal Monastery between the 15th and 17th centuries until the great earthquake of 1755. The building was partially demolished and Ferdinand II took it down completely.

19th century - Ferdinand II envisioned his summer residence in Sintra, picking the ground of the Royal Monastery as his new home. The King sought help from Baron Wilhelm Ludvig von Eschwege, a mining engineer and mineralogist, to build his dream home. The Park of Pena Palace was created at the same time.

Who Built Pena Park?

Ferdinanand II commanded Baron Wilhelm Ludvig von Eschwege to build the Park of Pena Palace. The German-Brazilian geologist and engineer was an esteemed member of the scientific community in the 19th century, making notable contributions to the study of geology. His explorations and surveys led to the discovery of numerous mineral resources, leaving a lasting impact on the field.

Architecture & Design of Pena Park

The Park of Pena Palace blends Romanticism, eclecticism, and landscape design. It is a masterpiece of 19th-century European architecture and a testament to King Ferdinand II of Portugal and Baron Wilhelm Ludvig von Eschwege’s impressive ideas and execution.

Romanticism is evident in the park's vibrant colors, stonework, and inscriptions. They draw inspiration from various architectural traditions such as Gothic, Renaissance, and Islamic motifs. The dome atop the Fountain of the Small Birds, for instance, is a feature of most Islamic structures of the past and present.