Parques de Sintra restores the roofs of the Palace of Monserrate

As part of its ongoing strategy for the preservation, enhancement, and sustainable maintenance of the historic heritage under its care, Parques de Sintra has launched a project to restore the roofs and the Copa dos Frescos area [Cold Pantry] of the Palace of Monserrate. The works, representing an investment of approximately three million euros, are expected to continue until the end of the first quarter of 2027.

This intervention aims to ensure the conservation and structural stability of the roofs and associated elements, as well as the preservation of the external walls (and their constituent features) and the material integrity of the Cold Pantry.

The project includes the rehabilitation of the roof support structures; replacement of deteriorated components; cleaning, consolidation, and restoration of surface finishes; correction and optimisation of drainage and waterproofing systems to ensure an effective response to weather conditions and to prevent future issues. The works also comprise the restoration of stone and decorative finishes, respecting original materials and construction techniques in a process that combines technical rigour, scientific knowledge, and heritage sensitivity.

João Sousa Rego, Chair of the Board of Directors of Parques de Sintra, highlights that, ‘during this intervention, which will be carried out in phases due to the complexity and scale of the works involved, the Palace of Monserrate will remain open to visitors, with appropriate safety conditions in place. A scaffolding structure and temporary cover will be installed to protect the building, the work teams, and the public, while also minimising visual impact.’

‘These works will thus follow the ‘Open for Works’ policy of Parques de Sintra,’ explains João Sousa Rego, adding that ‘this pedagogical approach allows visitors to engage with the specialists involved, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexity of heritage conservation work and the human and financial investment it entails.’

Palace of Monserrate – an icon of Romanticism in Portugal

The Palace of Monserrate is one of the most striking expressions of the European Romantic spirit in Portugal. Commissioned in the second half of the 19th century by Sir Francis Cook, Viscount of Monserrate, on the ruins of a neo-Gothic palace, the building was designed by the English architect James Knowles Jr., resulting in a work of exceptional artistic and architectural singularity.

Its composition reflects a fusion of neo-Gothic, Indian, and Moorish influences, articulated through an exuberant and deeply symbolic decorative language. Carved marbles, filigree columns, and intricate interior stuccoes are harmoniously integrated with the surrounding landscape of the Park of Monserrate– a picturesque-inspired botanical garden where plant species from diverse origins are arranged according to a Romantic ideal of unity between nature and architecture.

Acknowledged for its historical, artistic, and landscape value, the Monserrate estate is classified as a Property of Public Interest and forms part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1995.

In 2000, the management of the estate was entrusted to Parques de Sintra, which undertook a comprehensive rehabilitation of the roofs and façades and the installation of new infrastructure networks, enabling the reopening of the palace in 2010. The restoration of the interiors was carried out in view of the public and concluded in 2016.

Through this project, Parques de Sintra reaffirms its commitment to the preservation of Sintra’s historic, artistic, and natural heritage, ensuring that the Palace of Monserrate — a symbol of Romanticism and the synthesis of art and nature — continues to be a benchmark of heritage excellence and a living testament to Europe’s cultural legacy.