Category: Civil Architecture > Palace
District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa
The Ajuda National Palace, or Palace of Ajuda, stands majestically in the parish of Ajuda, in Lisbon. Its privileged location on high ground gives it remarkable visibility and offers a unique perspective of the Portuguese capital's urban surroundings from its vantage points.
The history of the Ajuda National Palace dates back to the second half of the 18th century, driven by the catastrophic 1755 earthquake that devastated Lisbon. After the destruction of the previous royal residence and a subsequent fire that consumed the temporary wooden palace, known as the "Real Barraca", it became imperative to build a new and imposing masonry palace. Its construction began in 1795, initially based on a Baroque project, which was quickly replaced by a Neoclassical design conceived by the architects Francisco Xavier Fabri and José da Costa e Silva. However, due to political and financial constraints, the work extended over several decades, resulting in a building that remained incomplete for much of its existence.
It was during the reign of King Luís I, from 1861 onwards, that the Palace of Ajuda definitively became the official residence of the Portuguese Royal Family. Queen Maria Pia of Savoy played a key role in redesigning the interiors, introducing elements of comfort and modernity that reflected the customs of the era. Once grandiose spaces were adapted to create more intimate and functional environments, including bathrooms with running water and leisure areas. This personalization of the palace now offers an authentic glimpse into the daily life of 19th-century royalty. It was also in this palace that Princes Carlos and Afonso were born. With the establishment of the Republic in 1910, the Palace closed its doors as a royal residence, reopening later in 1968 as a museum.
The Ajuda National Palace is home to a remarkable collection of decorative arts, spanning from the 15th to the 20th century. Visitors can walk through the various rooms that recreate the atmosphere of royal daily life, admiring collections of furniture, textiles, goldsmithery, ceramics, glass, and painting. The diversity of these pieces is one of its greatest strengths, with many of them having been acquired or commissioned by Queen Maria Pia herself.
Recently, the palace underwent a significant project which culminated in the completion of its west wing, now fully dedicated to the Royal Treasury Museum. This new and impressive exhibition space houses a spectacular collection of the Portuguese Crown Jewels and other precious treasures. Many of these items were used by the royal family in their daily lives or in official ceremonies, providing a unique glimpse into the opulence and history of the Portuguese monarchy.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palácio_Nacional_da_Ajuda
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.70764663060547,-9.197683228481743
Coordinates DMS: 38°42'27.5"N 09°11'51.7"W
Weather Lisboa
On-duty Pharmacy Lisboa
