Set within the cove of Santa Marta, the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum is an exemplar of revivalist architectural style. Complementing the sublime location of the museum is its eclectic collection of displays. Home to an impressive collection of artworks, rare pieces and myriad archaeological remains, the museum is a haven for art connoisseurs and history buffs. The noteworthy library of the museum houses historic manuscripts, dating back to 1505. The adjoining garden makes for an inviting spot too.
Built in 1864, the Santa Marta Lighthouse played a critical role in the defense of the coastal town of Cascais. Shining its far-reaching light on Cascais Marina, the lighthouse is an imposing structure of the riverfront. The white and blue striped façade of the lighthouse can be identified from a distance. The lighthouse also houses a museum within its premises. Opened in 2007, the museum displays artifacts sourced from the Portuguese Navy. One can also visit the auditorium in the museum to watch an intriguing documentary about the history of Portugal's lighthouses.
Constructed between the 15th and 17th centuries, the Citadel of Cascais was meant to hold ground against invasions. However, following the orders of King Luís I, the fortress became a place of retreat, with renovations being made to accommodate the needs of the royal family. Today, the palace functions as a museum and in 1977, the fort was declared as a Property of Public Interest. Later, a hotel was also built within its premises. Housed within the sprawling confines of the fortress is an arts center named Cidadela Arts District, luring connoisseurs of contemporary art.
Known for its beautifully outlandish architecture and collection of cryptic features relating to religious cults and ideologies, the Quinta da Regaleira is a balance of the bold and the bizarre. This palatial estate, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once belonged to the Viscountess of Regaleira, before Carvalho Monteiro purchased it in 1892, and transformed into the symbolic repository that it is known as today. After collaborating with Italian architect Luigi Manini, Monteiro re-built several parts of the 4-hectare (9.8 acres) estate. Speckled across its vast sprawl is a motley of buildings that span Gothic, Roman, Renaissance and Moorish architectural styles. The main mansion creeps up from between randomly strewn groves of smallish to large trees, an imposing stone structure replete with ornate elements, gargoyles, sculptures and even allegories associated with alchemy, Masonry, the Knights Templar order and Rosicrucians. Dotting the rest of the estate are semblances of statues, grottoes and ponds. One of the most intriguing features of this otherworldly estate is the subterranean group of wells that were built underneath the Quinta da Regaleira, a set of 'Initiation Wells' that eerily spiral down to unknown depths, seemingly inspired by Masonic principles and Dante's Inferno.
Located on the top of a hill, the Pena Palace is a prominent example of a 19th-century Romanticist structure. It is a magnificent complex that was completed in 1854 and built in a fantastic combination of Neo-Arabic and Neo-Medieval architectural styles. Classified as a national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage, the palace is an imposing tourist attraction in Portugal. Intended to be used as a summer palace for the royal family, the interior of the castle features impressive stuccos, flawless statues, and painted terraces. Surrounded by forested grounds, the Pena Palace is accessible through the lush green pathway.
Dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries, Castelo dos Mouros was constructed to protect the Iberian kingdom from invasions and strengthen their position in the province. The castle walls follow the ridge's contour almost flawlessly. The castle has a bunch of rectangular towers and an imposing circular one. Formerly serving as vantage points, the high points of the castle segue into mesmerizing panoramic sights of the town. Luring droves of curious tourists and history buffs today, the castle is a magnificent site for all.
Magellan, as he is better known in English, or Fernão de Magalhães, got his place in history mostly due to being the first to circumnavigate Earth. Magalhães was born in Portugal sometime around 1480 and later died in 1521. He served Portugal during most of his young life, only deciding to leave and work for the Spanish kingdom after being barred by the Portuguese king, Dom Manuel I. The statue of Magalhães, near downtown Lisbon at the Praça do Chile, was an offer from the Chilean government to the Portuguese people.
A celebrated botanist and professor, Brotero lived during the late 18th Century. His real name was Félix de Avelar, but he decided to change his name to Brotero. He took a degree in medicine, but his real passion was botany, a science to which he dedicated most of his lifetime. He was headmaster of Lisbon’s Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden), and also an eminent professor and state servant. The statue standing in the Restelo area is a work by António Duarte.
Known for its beautifully outlandish architecture and collection of cryptic features relating to religious cults and ideologies, the Quinta da Regaleira is a balance of the bold and the bizarre. This palatial estate, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once belonged to the Viscountess of Regaleira, before Carvalho Monteiro purchased it in 1892, and transformed into the symbolic repository that it is known as today. After collaborating with Italian architect Luigi Manini, Monteiro re-built several parts of the 4-hectare (9.8 acres) estate. Speckled across its vast sprawl is a motley of buildings that span Gothic, Roman, Renaissance and Moorish architectural styles. The main mansion creeps up from between randomly strewn groves of smallish to large trees, an imposing stone structure replete with ornate elements, gargoyles, sculptures and even allegories associated with alchemy, Masonry, the Knights Templar order and Rosicrucians. Dotting the rest of the estate are semblances of statues, grottoes and ponds. One of the most intriguing features of this otherworldly estate is the subterranean group of wells that were built underneath the Quinta da Regaleira, a set of 'Initiation Wells' that eerily spiral down to unknown depths, seemingly inspired by Masonic principles and Dante's Inferno.
Rua Augusta Arch is one of the most highly regarded landmarks in the city of Lisbon. Seen by some as Portugal's Arc de Triomphe, it was constructed in 1873 and designed by the notable French sculptor, Antoine Calmels. The structure is crowned by nine elegant allegorical statues signifying Portugal's social and political history. Included are Vasco da Gama, who discovered the maritime route to India in 1498; Nuno Álvares Pereira, who helped the Portuguese gain independence from Spain; and the politician Marquês de Pombal, who contributed to the reconstruction of Lisbon after its devastating earthquake in 1755.
In the XIX century, the judicial district's jail was exactly in the middle of the village, where the post office is located today. By the end of the century, there was an increasing desire to move the jail to some other place, because, every time one passed in front of it, one would be disturbed by the prisoners.
Started in 1681, the construction of the church was only finished in 1966! Built in the shape of a cross and topped off by a dome, it is a typical example of Portuguese baroque style. Inside, you will find cenotaphs and memorials in honor of great names in Portuguese history, such as Vasco da Gama and the poet, Luís de Camões. Today the church is the National Pantheon.