At Quinta das Lágrimas, where Peter and Inês secretly met, there is a hotel incorporated into the Small Luxury Hotels, surrounded by gardens so rich and diverse that they equal the most complete Botanical Gardens in rarity and exoticism. Forget the past and the future and fall in love with here and now. Relax your body at an extraordinary spa and let your spirit fly away while discovering this place.
A love story becomes great because of the tales that keep it alive. And the story of Peter and Inês is no exception.
Although the Prince lived with Inês at Santa Clara Palace for many years, folk tradition says that, in order to communicate with his lover, Peter would use a pipe which went through Quinta das Lágrimas until near the Poor Clairs convent. It is said that he would put letters into small wooden boats and then they would travel across the water that came from a fountain, the Fonte dos Amores (Fountain of Love).
At Quinta das Lágrimas there is also another fountain, the Fonte das Lágrimas (Fountain of Tears) which, according to legend, is made out of the tears that Inês cried when she was murdered. It is said that the blood from her body left a stain of red seaweed which is still noticeable today.
Created to become a true herbal museum, the gardens at Quinta das Lágrimas gather species from all over the world. Their designer, Miguel Osório Cabral de Castro, took the advantage of being a friend of the Coimbra University Botanical Garden director to provide more variety to this outside space which became one of the most important places at Quinta das Lágrimas. There is a wood area – which was once used by the royal family – and a garden area near the palace. The area has great sequoias, Judas trees, Chinese fan palms, Buçaco white cedars and Himalayan cedars, a Moreton Bay Fig and even a majestic Kusamaki, which comes from Southern Africa and there’s only one more in Portugal.
Quinta das Lágrimas, a retreat of comfort and peace, is situated within an XVIII century palace surrounded by 12 hectares of historical gardens. Kings and emperors used to frequent the palace and, nowadays, it is a magnificent space that honours the eternal love story of Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro. Quinta das Lágrimas Hotel has 55 rooms (of which 19 are connecting and 6 are suites), an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, spa, private parking, meeting rooms and excellent restaurants.
Each season of the year offers a different experience and all of them are absolutely incredible. During summer, the luxuriant gardens turn into an alfresco dining area and the Colina de Camões becomes a stage for the annual Festival of Arts. During spring, the botanical gardens take center stage. During fall, green gradually gives way to a gorgeous palette of earthy tones as the trees lose their leaves. During winter, fireplaces invite you to retreat to the hotel's cosy rooms for hours of conversation and conviviality.