Quinta das Lagrimas (Estate of Tears), Coimbra

A place where romance, tragedy, and history intertwine, the Estate of Tears (Quinta das Lagrimas) is one of Coimbra’s most evocative landmarks. Recognized as a Building of Public Interest since 1977, this historic estate spans 12 hectares (29.6 acres) of gardens and is home to a grand palace, now transformed into a luxury hotel. Beyond its refined hospitality, the estate carries the weight of Portugal’s most infamous love story—that of Prince Pedro and Ines de Castro.

The origins of the Estate of Tears are uncertain, but it served as a royal hunting ground before passing to the University of Coimbra and later a religious order. Acquired by the Osorio Cabral de Castro family in 1730, the estate saw the construction of its palace, which was rebuilt in a new style by Miguel Osorio Cabral de Castro after a devastating fire in 1879. The palace features a central body, two lateral wings with balconies, and a chapel on the right.

Yet, what truly sets this estate apart is its deep connection to one of Portugal’s greatest legends. The name Quinta das Lagrimas—“Estate of Tears”—is drawn from the tragic love affair between Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro. Ines, a lady-in-waiting to Pedro’s wife, became the prince’s great love, leading to a scandalous romance that enraged his father, King Afonso IV. Suspecting Ines of plotting for the throne, King Afonso IV ordered her execution in 1355. When Pedro became king in 1357, he avenged her death, executing her killers and posthumously crowning Ines—forcing the court to kneel before her exhumed body and kiss her hand.

One of the estate’s most haunting landmarks is the Fountain of Tears (Fonte das Lagrimas), said to have formed from the very tears Ines shed as she was slain. Legend claims that her blood still stains the stones at the bottom of the fountain, and over the centuries, the estate has gained a reputation for being haunted by Ines’ sorrowful spirit—her cries echoing through the gardens, eternally searching for her lost love.

Today, the Estate of Tears blends historical grandeur with an air of melancholic beauty, offering visitors a chance to walk through a landscape where fact and legend blur into an unforgettable tale of love, betrayal, and vengeance.