Sintra: Urban Art in The Historic Centre

Sitting pretty on the UNESCO World Heritage list, Sintra certainly isn't a town where you going to find any graffiti, nevertheless, I am always on the lookout for urban art. ​​

​Sophisticated pieces: tiled mosaics, plaques and marble sculptures, are sprinkled throughout the narrow streets of Sintra, and I was really impressed with the amount found while exploring the historic centre. Below is a collection of pieces stumbled across during my walk through town.

Cintra Glorious Eden, a plaque imortilising Lord Byron and his love for Sintra found along the back streets on R. Ferraria.

Positioned just the right of the Lord Byron plaque above, is this mosaic depicting Sintra in earlier times, showing a small group of villagers working in the hillside with the National Palace never out of view.

Some of the bluebirds you will find decorating buildings spread across the historic centre.

A tile mosaic portraying a blacksmith scene from the 19th century, plus tiny bluebirds adorn one of the pink pastel villas located in the historic centre.

Marble statues lining Volte Duche, on the walk/ drive to the historic centre.

A huge detailed mosaic covering 2 floors of the Palácio Valenças.

Fountain Mourisca (Fonte Mourisca) was created by master sculptor of Sintra, José da Fonseca in 1922, ans is situated on Volte Duche. There is no denying the talent and effort it takes to create something like this.

You cannot talk about urban art in Portugal without mentioning the incredible mosaics that feature far and wide. These eye-catching displays feature on Sintra's street signs, monuments and buildings, all are stunning, yet some, (like the Arabian inspired, Fonte Mourisca, pictured above) are simply awe-inspiring. Combining Sintra's pastel 19th-century architecture, magnificent mosaics, and bewitching charm, It is not a wonder why the Cultural Landscape of Sintra sits comfortably on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

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