Chalet of the Countess of Edla – Pena Park

Sintra, Portugal

The Chalet is a leisure residence in Pena Park, built between 1866 and 1868 by D. Fernando II of Portugal and his second wife Elise Hensler, Countess of Edla. It integrates the romantic vogue of chalets, cottages or small pavilions built in landscape parks and the desire to live modestly, in communion with nature. These intentions are confirmed by the utilization of natural or faux natural materials, and by the multiple fenestration throughout the facades with each room opening directly to the exterior. Architececturally, there is an affiliation with the American “Carpenter Gothic style” and the “Old Alpine and Bavarian style.”