Sintra hillside and its world famous monuments to close due to risk of fires

The ‘Serra da Sintra’ filled with centenarian trees, dotted by world famous monuments, is closed to the public until the risk of wildfires has abated. The decision taken today by the municipality’s ‘crisis committee’ will affect visitors planning to visit stunning Palácio da Pena, the Castelo dos Mouros, the Palacete of Monserrate, the fairytale Quinta da Regaleira and/ or the wooded Convento dos Capuchos. Said mayor Basílio Horta: “We are fully aware of this moment of urgency through which we are all living. Sintra is a borough with special peculiarities because we have an extensive rural area, extensive forest land and an extremely concentrated urban area. Thus we have increased problems which we have to face and resolve”. The decision will imply a marked loss in financial revenue in the short-term, but hopefully it will save truly remarkable monuments from the risk of damage by fire.