Sintra, Portugal
Fanciful animals in a Sintra park
Palacio Nacional de Sintra. Of Moorish origins, first expanded in the early 14th century and greatly enlarged in the early 15th century by King John I. The kitchens, with their huge conical chimneys, were part of the 15th century addition.
Magpies on the painted ceiling in this palace room each hold a scroll saying "por bem" (all to the good). According to our Lonely Planet guidebook, it is alleged that the queen walked in on John I "making advances to one of her ladies-in-waiting. Caught red-handed, the king claimed the kisses were harmless, that it was all "por bem" ("for good"). Naturally much court gossip followed, and the king responded by commissioning the cheeky decoration - one bird for each lady-in-waiting."
One half of the cooking area in the palace kitchen, directly under one of the huge conical chimneys
Looking up into one of the conical chimneys in the palace kitchen. How often do you see a chimney large enough to have windows in it?
Fanciful animals in a Sintra park
Palacio Nacional de Sintra. Of Moorish origins, first expanded in the early 14th century and greatly enlarged in the early 15th century by King John I. The kitchens, with their huge conical chimneys, were part of the 15th century addition.
Magpies on the painted ceiling in this palace room each hold a scroll saying "por bem" (all to the good). According to our Lonely Planet guidebook, it is alleged that the queen walked in on John I "making advances to one of her ladies-in-waiting. Caught red-handed, the king claimed the kisses were harmless, that it was all "por bem" ("for good"). Naturally much court gossip followed, and the king responded by commissioning the cheeky decoration - one bird for each lady-in-waiting."
One half of the cooking area in the palace kitchen, directly under one of the huge conical chimneys
Looking up into one of the conical chimneys in the palace kitchen. How often do you see a chimney large enough to have windows in it?