Lawrence's Hotel is the oldest in the Iberian Peninsula and the second oldest in the world. The Hotel's history begins in the Lawrence family in 1764, the first date the Hotel is mentioned, in a postcard sent by an English traveller to his family in England (source: The Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon). There are no records of the exact time of the existence of the Hotel.
In 1780, it was opened as Lawrence's hotel.
It became well known when Lord Byron, born in London, moved into the hotel at the beginning of the XIX century. The famous British romantic novelist was staying at Lawrence's in 1809 and it was there that he wrote part of his book "The journey of Childe Harold", in which he tells of his experiences when traveling through Europe and where Sintra is described as a 'Glorious Eden'.
In 1780, it was opened as Lawrence's hotel.
It became well known when Lord Byron, born in London, moved into the hotel at the beginning of the XIX century. The famous British romantic novelist was staying at Lawrence's in 1809 and it was there that he wrote part of his book "The journey of Childe Harold", in which he tells of his experiences when traveling through Europe and where Sintra is described as a 'Glorious Eden'.
"Lo! Cintra's glorious Eden intervenes
In variegated maze of mount and glen.
Ah me! what hand can pencil guide, or pen,
To follow half on which the eye dilates
Through views more dazzling unto mortal ken
Than those whereof such things the bard relates,
Who to the awe-struck world unlocked Elysium's gates?"
(Lord Byron on Sintra)
In variegated maze of mount and glen.
Ah me! what hand can pencil guide, or pen,
To follow half on which the eye dilates
Through views more dazzling unto mortal ken
Than those whereof such things the bard relates,
Who to the awe-struck world unlocked Elysium's gates?"
(Lord Byron on Sintra)
Sintra, located not far from Lisbon, has already been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its magnificent palaces, jumbled streets, and striking mountain perch above lush, green valleys.
