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Portugal

The palace, which also served as a Franciscan friary, was built during the reign of King John V.

The ceilings in just this one room are incredible works of art for the time period it was built.

The palace was conveniently located near royal hunting preserves, and was usually a secondary residence for the royal family.

The palace was built symmetrically from a central axis, occupied by the basilica, and continues lengthwise through the main façade until two major towers.

Talk about a short bed length wise. They definitely were not tall in stature.

View from the second floor toward the coast line close by.

Corridors after corridors walking through room after room.

This room was trophies from the hunting nearby.

Mock up of the palace. The facade is 660 feet long. The whole complex covers 113,370 square feet with about 1,200 rooms, more than 4,700 doors and windows, and 156 stairways.

This is the huge library with 30,000 books, embellished with marble, exotic woods and countless artworks taken from France, Flanders and Italy,

The building consisted of a friary capable of sheltering 330 friars, along with a royal palace. The chapel or church included six monumental pipe organs and the two carillon.

Elegant hallways

Elaborate tile front entrance work facing the city and Atlantic Ocean.

The palace was not occupied permanently by the royalty, who considered the rooms too gloomy. Nonetheless, it was a popular destination for the members of the royal family who enjoyed hunting in the nearby game preserve,

The church, built in white marble, is located in the center of the main façade, symmetrically flanked on both sides by the royal palace.

After visiting the palace we drive to a nearby large winery Quinta d Almiara. This is the outside of the main building of the winery. Very modern in design.

The vineyards of the winery.

The family winery we visited.

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