Sintra - National Palace III

February 13, 2010 

Sintra - Palácio Nacional

Description:   Most buildings around the central courtyard - called the Ala Joaninamullioned windows in Manueline and Moorish styles (called ajimezes), the conical chimneys of the kitchen that dominate the skyline of the city, and many rooms including: (John's Wing) - date from this campaign, including the main building of the façade with the entrance arches and the 
kitchen that dominate the skyline of the city, and many rooms including:

• The Swann's Room (Sala dos Cisnes) in Manueline style, named so because of the swans painted on the ceiling;

• Pegas' Room (Sala das Pegas); the magpies (pegas) painted on the ceiling and the frieze hold the emblem por bem (for honour) in their beaks. This relates to the story that the king John I was caught in the act of kissing a lady-in-waiting by his queen Philippa of Lancaster. To put a stop to all the gossip, he had the room decorated with as many magpies are were women at the court;

• Arab Room (Sala dos Árabes).

John I's son, King Duarte I, was very fond of the Palace and stayed long periods here. He left a written description of the Palace that is very valuable in understanding the development and use of the building, and confirms that much of the palace built by his father has not changed much since its construction. Another sign of the preference for this Palace is that Duarte's successor King Afonso V was born (1432) and died (1481) in the Palace. Afonso V's successor, King John II, was acclaimed King of Portugal in the Palace of Sintra.