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The designer of this suggestive little romantic palace
was James Knowles Jr. and it was built in 1858 on the initiative
of Francis Cook, Viscount Monserrate, being one of the most
interesting examples of Sintra Romanticism.
A work in the Romantic-Orientalist spirit, with its great
circular tower, bulbous cupolas and exotic decoration, the
building recalls in particular the famous Brighton Pavilion
of Nash, and English Romantic architecture. However, as
Josι Augusto Franηa says, "Monserrate has a somewhat different
scenographic sense, based on a greater wealth of archaeological
details", constituted by its inspirational roots which -
via English sources - are grafted on to the Moghul architecture.
A unique case of Romanticism in Portugal.
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