Palácio Belmonte, Portugal
Built atop fortified Roman and Moorish walls, the Palácio Belmonte is not only the oldest building in Lisbon, but the oldest palace on our list. Built on foundations dating back to 130 BC, and occupying a hilltop with views of the cobblestone-blanketed city and the Tagus River, the Palácio’s incarnation as a castle hotel is a fairly recent one, thanks to a major renovation that restored its regal status. Its last private owners, the Earls of Belmonte (and their descendants), resided here for 500 years; you can spend a night in one of 11 palatial suites decorated in colorful silks, with sitting areas and terraces with superb views. But that’s not all: There’s an extravagant black-marble infinity pool on site, a 4,000-book library, African and Japanese artifacts, 7th-century brick ceilings, and close to 30,000 18th-century Portuguese tiles that have been combined with imported antiques to create a luxurious and refined air.
No comments:
Post a Comment