Palácio Nacional da Pena
The Palácio Nacional da Pena is one of the most visited monuments in Portugal
The Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace) is one of the most visited monuments in Portugal. The history of the Palace dates back to the Middle Ages, when a chapel dedicated to the Nossa Senhora da Pena was built there. In 1493, King D. João II ordered a monastery to be built. In the XVIIIth century, the monastery was severely damaged by a lightning bolt and later, by the great earthquake of 1755, which left it in ruins for many decades. In 1838, the monastery was bought by King D. Fernando II, married to Queen D. Maria II who transformed it into a Palace to serve as a Summer residency for the Royal Family. It was acquired by the Portuguese State in 1889 and in 1910, after the Implementation of the Republic, it was classified as a National Monument. UNESCO classified it as World Heritage in 1995.
The Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace) is one of the most visited monuments in Portugal. The history of the Palace dates back to the Middle Ages, when a chapel dedicated to the Nossa Senhora da Pena was built there. In 1493, King D. João II ordered a monastery to be built. In the XVIIIth century, the monastery was severely damaged by a lightning bolt and later, by the great earthquake of 1755, which left it in ruins for many decades. In 1838, the monastery was bought by King D. Fernando II, married to Queen D. Maria II who transformed it into a Palace to serve as a Summer residency for the Royal Family. It was acquired by the Portuguese State in 1889 and in 1910, after the Implementation of the Republic, it was classified as a National Monument. UNESCO classified it as World Heritage in 1995.
