Tuesday, April 5, 2011

More wonders of Sintra: Montserrate

Zeke and Rafi at Monteserrate
Michael's dad, Marshall, came to visit us in mid-March, and we had a great roadtrip together through the mountains around Sintra.  We visited a beautiful mansion and botanical garden at a place called Montserrate.  It was built in the late 19th century by a wealthy British family, but it fell into disrepair around the Second World War.  Now it is being refurbished, and it is quite a neo-Moorish fantasy.

Chapel at Montserrate

Marshall, Rafi, and Michael
The grounds also have a chapel ruins--built already ruined for full effect.  All they needed to do was to grow a giant ficus tree over the crumbling walls and voilá! Instant romance.

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