Sintra, Sintra, Lissabon Portugal

A mansion with castle-like architecture on top of Monte Sereno in the Sintra mountains. Of the three hills in the mountains, one is topped by the Castelo dos Mouros, another by the Palácio da Pena and the third, Monte Sereno, by this small castle. Designed by Norte Júnior in the 1920s with a modernist concrete structure, it was built as a neo-Gothic “castle”. The building, designed in uneven modules with large lancet windows and topped by battlements and guardhouses, was later restored by the Sessel family, who gave it an Art Deco influence. The mansion has large areas, with high painted wooden ceilings, antique tiles, Murano lamps and a view from Lisbon to the sea, passing through the view of the trees of the Sintra mountains. It has 9 bedrooms, a large hall with wooden walls and ceilings, numerous living rooms and leisure areas, a kitchen lined with antique tiles. It is also characterised by its natural access to the Sintra mountains for its pedestrian walks and its proximity to the Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and the historic centre of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is 10 minutes from the historic centre of Sintra, 20 minutes from the beaches and the sea, 5 minutes from the international schools Carlucci American International School of Lisbon and TASIS Portugal International School and 25 minutes from Lisbon international airport.