The Quinta das Lágrimas, or the House of Tears to give it its English name, fully lives up to its romantic past. One of the most famous love stories in Portuguese history, immortalised by Camões, Portugal's greatest poet, is that of the forbidden but eternal love between Prince Pedro and Dona Inês, a lady-in-waiting to his wife.
King Alfonso IV, Pedro's father, ordered three noblemen to put Dona Inês de Castro to death and the last tears she shed at Quinta das Lágrimas before dying gave rise to its name. It is only a 10-minute walk from Coimbra city centre, one of Portugal’s most attractive cities, though the surrounding buildings are rather mundane. Throughout the years the Quinta has been honoured with the visit of several illustrious characters, who left important traces of their presence.
One of these was Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington and Commander of the British forces that helped to push back the Napoleonic invasions. Certainly one of the most historic accommodations in the region.