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Ajuda National Palace

the ostentation of times past

Have you ever imagined living in a palace, in times of kings and queens? Do you think that’s how you’ll feel while taking in the impressive halls of the Ajuda National Palace, visiting its different compartments, where each scenario has been carefully reproduced to match those from that very era, down to the smallest detail?

The Ajuda National Palace is a must see in Lisbon, due to its historical and cultural value, which represents the city and the country.

Located at the top of the Ajuda hill, and with a superb view of the Tejo River, the palace’s construction began in 1796. After the 1755 earthquake, the royal family moved to the Ajuda area, where the land was safer, inhabiting the Royal Palace, a wood building also known as the Royal Tent. In 1794, an accidental fire destroyed this house and new royal dwellings had to be built, this time in stone and mortar. The project was started by Manuel Caetano de Sousa, a Public Works architect. Later on, and after a 5 year break, this great work is restarted by the architects Francisco Xavier Fabri and José da Costa e Silva, with the help of other national and international artists.

What we see today is not the ambitious initial project, which contemplated the construction of one of the largest palaces in Europe, with rolling gardens. That project did not materialize because the royal family left for Brazil in 1807 following the Napoleonic Wars. And although it is an unfinished project, the Ajuda National Palace is a majestic and dignified monument that is definitely worth a visit. Spread out over two floors, the ground floor and the noble floor, it is easy to see how the royal family’s daily affairs unfolded.

We recommend you visit the palace with time to spare, in order to fully admire all the magnificent works of art that it houses. On the ground floor, with its ornate and rich decor, you’ll find the royal family’s rooms. We highlight the dining room, where the family savored their intimate meals; the Blue Room, a richly decorated living room where the family gathered to spend time together; the Queen D. Maria Pia’s rooms, decorated with the finest and most elegant porcelain; and the stunning Winter Garden. It is a floor with a very strong family character, filled with comfortable and sheltered nooks and crannies, respecting the family’s privacy and hygiene, characteristics of the 19th century bourgeois mentality.

The Noble Floor, as the name implies, was intended for gala receptions. It’s impossible to remain indifferent to the Grand Dining Room, the luxurious space in which presidential banquets are still held today, and where we can observe the finest 18th century Chinese porcelain service. The Throne Room also stands out, with its breathtaking beauty, where the ancient ceremony of kissing the king’s hand occurred. In this room, where everything is majestic, the highlight goes to the throne chairs, which are of Portuguese origin. It is a fascinating space, which awakens the imagination to a scenario from other times, where we can imagine a king and queen, formally dressed, receiving their subjects.

Be sure to enjoy the beauty of the King’s Work Cabinet, as well as the King's bedroom, as D. Luís I moved to the noble floor in 1888, due to health complications, and this ended up being the last year of his life.

In 1910, with the Founding of the Republic and the exile of the royal family, the palace closed its doors. It reopened in 1968 as a house museum. Today, as the museum with the largest amount of pieces from Portugal, it is also one of the most important Museums of Decorative Arts.

The Ajuda National Palace’s charm is such that we can’t properly describe it with words. Visit, observe, appreciate and enjoy the palace. We guarantee it is going to be a unique experience, for the eyes and the imagination!

Hours

Thu - Tue: 10:00 a.m. - 06.00 p.m. | Closed: 1st Jan, Easter Sunday, 1st May, 25th Dec