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Monserrate Park - Sintra

History

The Monserrate Palace lies 3.5km to the west of Sintra and Rua Visconde de Monserrate leads into this vast park. This 30 hectare park around the palace is filled with many gardens, lakes and sites of different interest. A sign of Sir Francis Cook Square beside the park refers to the owner, who built this palace. Francis Cook purchased the land in 1870 and turned these ruins into a summer palace. Sir Francis Cook hired James Knowles as the architect and William Nevil as Botanical expert and landscaper.

A sign of Sir Francis Cook Square beside the park
A sign of Sir Francis Cook Square beside the park
An old arch beside the car park for the Monserrate Park & Palace at Rua Barbosa do Bocage
An old arch beside the car park for the Monserrate Park & Palace at Rua Barbosa do Bocage
Main gate of the Monserrate Park & Palace, ticket office is located next to this gate
Main gate of the Monserrate Park & Palace, ticket office is located next to this gate
This path leads into the park
This path leads into the park
Flowers inside the Monserrate Park Sintra
A gardener is working inside the park
Floating weed inside a pond - Monserrate Park Sintra

Old Church

Ruins of an old church stand in the park but very little remains of this old chapel other than an outer shell. The building itself is surrounded by lush vegetation and ruins look bit spooky. A tree grows out of the chapel and its branches are spread over the walls. The gardens are spread out on beautiful terraces of the park. 
Jardim do Mexico (the Mexican garden) is one of the largest in the park. This garden sits at the lower slopes of the small hill where palace is situated. On the upper slopes, desert plants are grown on semi arid slopes.

An old church hidden among the trees
Ruins of an old church in the Monserrate Park Sintra
Ruins of an old church in the Monserrate Park Sintra
Walls of the church are covered with moss
A tree has grown out of the chapel and its branches are spread over the walls
A tree has grown out of the chapel and its branches are spread over the walls
Wood is used to form a barrier beside the Lagos Ornamentais
Gardens are spread out on beautiful terraces of the park
Gardens are spread out on beautiful terraces of the park
Gardens inside the Monserrate Park Sintra
Gardens inside the Monserrate Park Sintra
Jardim do Mexico (the Mexican garden) in the park
Jardim do Mexico (the Mexican garden) in the park
This garden sits at the lower slopes of the small hill where palace is situated
This garden sits at the lower slopes of the small hill where palace is situated
A view of the park while going up on the terraces
A view of the park while going up on the terraces
tree is falling to the ground and it is supported by an iron pillar
This tree is falling to the ground and it is supported by an iron pillar
On the upper slopes, desert plants are grown on semi arid slopes
On the upper slopes, desert plants are grown on semi arid slopes
Trees and plants inside the Monserrate Park Sintra
Trees and plants inside the Monserrate Park Sintra
The branches of this tree were coming down to the ground
The branches of this tree were coming down to the ground
A cone is hanging from the tree
A cone is hanging from the tree

The Monserrate Palace

The palace of Monserrate sits among shady tees on a small hill. This palace is part of the Sintra Romanticism which is a huge attraction for the visitors. Islamic architectural style (Moorish) was used to build this palace. The Indian Arch (upper half is missing) was bought by Francis Cook after the War of Independence in 1857, as a war loot from India. An open-air photo gallery was on display on one of the paths of the palace. 

The palace of Monserrate is built on a small hill
The palace of Monserrate is built on a small hill
Exterior of the Monserrate Palace inside the park in Sintra
Exterior of the Monserrate Palace inside the park in Sintra
A breathtaking view of the park, while standing in front of the palace
A breathtaking view of the park, while standing in front of the palace
Lush greenery and rare plant species is the hallmark of this park
Lush greenery and rare plant species is the hallmark of this park
Strelitzia reginae (commonly known as Crane Flower) is indigenous to South Africa
Strelitzia reginae (commonly known as Crane Flower) is indigenous to South Africa
A huge tree beside the palace
A huge tree beside the palace
A tree laden with fruit inside the Monserrate Park - Sintra
A tree laden with fruit inside the Monserrate Park - Sintra
An Indian Arch inside the Monserrate Park
An Indian Arch inside the Monserrate Park
Trees above the path leading out of the park
Trees above the path leading out of the park
An open-air photo gallery on one of the paths of the palace
An open-air photo gallery on one of the paths of the palace
A closer look at one of the displays
A closer look at one of the displays
NYC Oasis is the name of this photo, taken in the NYC's Central Park
NYC Oasis is the name of this photo, taken in the NYC's Central Park
Photo of a beautiful flower on display
Photo of a beautiful flower on display