Palace of Ajuda, Belem, Lisbon
The Palace of Ajuda (Palácio Nacional da Ajuda) is a neo-classical royal palace located north of the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, Lisbon.
Constructed on a rectangular pattern, the palace has four wings grouped around a large quadrangle, paved with geometric calçada (Portuguese pavements).
Several gardens surround the palace including the Jardim das Damas (Lady's Garden) and the large Jardim Botânico d'Ajuda (Ajuda Botanical Garden).
History of the Palace of Ajuda
The Palace of Ajuda was built over a temporary wooden and tent palace in Ajuda, then on the outskirts of Lisbon. The temporary royal residence was constructed for King Joseph I of Portugal, who had developed a fear of sleeping in stone buildings after the 1755 earthquake, which had devastated the capital.
The present palace was first commissioned by the Portuguese royal family in 1795 with Manuel Caetano de Sousa as the chief architect. Later, José da Costa e Silva and Francisco Xavier Fabri took over the construction, but the royal family were forced to flee to Brazil following Napoleon's invasion and the first of many delays occurred.
Further delays took place to the construction of the palace and its interior decoration over the following decades and it was not until the1860's that the royal family was able to finally move in. The Palace of Ajuda then served as a royal residence until the end of the monarchy in 1910.
Rooms of the Palace of Ajuda
The lavish rooms of the Palace of Ajuda have now been fully restored. A walk through the palace reveals the life of absolute luxury enjoyed by the royal family in the 19th century while the majority of their subjects were far worse off.
The two floors of the palace contain scores of rooms, most with exquisite ceiling paintings and rich furnishings. Many of the private chambers of the former Portuguese royal family are located on the ground floor on the second floor are the state rooms where official receptions were conducted.
Some of the most important rooms at the Palace of Ajuda are:
The Archer's Hall (Sala dos Archeiros) - was staffed by the guard of honour with a ceiling painted by José da Cunha Taborda.
Hall of Order (Sala do Despacho) - was used for state functions, and again has a ceiling by José da Cunha Taborda. There is a black marble Italian fireplace and parquet floor in a geometric pattern.
Music Room (Sala de Música) - is an ornate room with parquet floor, paintings and musical instruments on display.
Sala Verde (Green Room) - was a private room of the Queen for receiving visitors done in green silk. The 1876 portrait of the Royal Family is by the French painter Joseph Fortuné-Séraphin Layraud.
Quarto da Rainha (Queen's Bedroom) - is a lavishly decorated room in the Napoleonic style noted for its polar bear rug. The room was the bedroom of Dona Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), wife of the Portuguese King Luis I (1838-1889). The royal couple were the first residents of the palace. Features of the bedroom are the walls done in blue silk with silver decorations, the hardwood bed with canopy and the richly painted ceiling.
Throne Room (Sala do Trono) - has walls draped in red silk and a parquet floor. The dual thrones of Luís and Maria Pia are under a red draped canopy.
Sala da Ceia (Dining Room), the grand dining hall on the second floor is still used by the Portuguese government for state dinners and ceremonial events.
Access - Getting to the Palace of Ajuda
Palacio Nacional da Ajuda (palacioajuda.gov.pt)
Largo da Ajuda
1349-021 Lisbon
Tel: 213 637 095
Hours: The Palacio Nacional da Ajuda is open daily from 10 am-6 pm except Wednesdays. Also closed January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 and December 25.
Admission: Fee (presently 8 Euros).
Buses: #729, #732, #742, #760. Tram: #18
From Cascais or Cais do Sodre on the Cascais Line get out at Belém station; Ferry: From Porto Brandaõ on the south side of the River Tagus to Belém.
Nearby
Other attractions within fairly easy reach of the Palace of Ajuda include the Museu da Presidencia da Republica, Igreja da Memória, the Museu de Arquitetura e Tecnologia (MAAT) housed in the vast, red-brick former Tejo power station and Jardim do Ultramar. All are located south of the palace close to the River Tagus.
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