Kauffman Commentary

An English merchant Gerard DeVisme leased the estate and built an elaborate Neo-Gothic mansion there in 1790. He eventually left Portugal, and the property later became associated with another famous English visitor, Lord Byron.

In the 1850, Sir Francis Cook, an extraordinarily wealthy English textile merchant and art collector purchased and refurbished the home and grounds. He added Moorish and Indian influences to the palace.

The wonderland he made with the grounds makes it like a huge botanical garden. Unusual plants from all around the world were added.

The Cook’s kept the house in the family until 1949, when they began to have money issues. At that point a family friend was managing the house and they sold the contents. The Portuguese state acquired Monserrate, keeping it as part of Sintra’s collection of historic estates.

There is currently a 3 million euro renovation being done to the roof and pantry area of the palace.

The gardens give off a tropical feel. The ferns, waterfall, ponds, giant agave plants and flowers are gorgeous. Stone paths with stone staircases all around the gardens are natural, yet royal.