Located in the Park and noted for its morphology due to its very peculiar composition of colours, the Palace of Monserrate constitutes a unique example of the wide panorama of architecture in Portugal. Subject to an intense program of recovery between 2001 and 2004 that, in focusing mainly on the roofs and facades of the Palace, returned the weather-proofing and appearance of the building: the interior of the Palace was left in need of recuperation work. Conscientious of the necessity of opening the Palace to the visitors to the park: in 2006/2007 ‘Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua, S.A.’ applied for funding from the EEA Grants project for the first phase of recuperation work of the interior of the Palace; including the introduction of an infrastructure for the improvement of visitor routes.

Following the successful application to the EEA Grants project for funding, recuperation work was scheduled that resulted in the acceptance of public visits to the Palace during the first recuperation phase. Making available such visits during this phase adds value to visits, as patrons will have the opportunity to witness first hand the recuperation of this cultural heritage site and to examine the techniques and financing involved (and to be given the opportunity to witness the specific conditions of the Palace as work progresses, as well as the opportunity to study the vocations involved in the restoration process). The second recuperation phase continue the conservation and restoration of various decorative services throughout the palace.

The development of the restoration project is based upon the combination of various information sources: An essential pre-requisite for a good understanding of the site. This is particularly important as some of the elements involved in the renovation of the site are produced to complement already existing elements.