Angeja-Palmela Palace

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Paço do Lumiar

Location

The Angeja-Palmela Palace is located in the Paço do Lumiar area, in Lisbon. This site is part of a vast historical property, formerly known as Quinta do Monteiro-Mor. The palace is situated within the Monteiro-Mor Botanical Park, an extensive green area that invites tranquility and discovery, providing a serene and natural environment for your visit, despite being located within the city of Lisbon.

The main entrance of the palace faces an inner courtyard, which is flanked by old support buildings, such as the stables, now serving other purposes, and various historical storage rooms. This layout creates a welcoming environment and protects the palace from its immediate urban surroundings.

History and Architectural Features

The history of the Angeja-Palmela Palace dates back to the 18th century, having been erected after the 1755 earthquake, on the foundations of an old palace belonging to D. Afonso Sanches. Its initial conception reveals a strong influence of Pombaline architecture, characteristic of Lisbon's reconstruction period.

Throughout the 19th century, the palace underwent various interventions and additions that gave it Neo-classical and Romantic features, enriching its architectural language. Inside, visitors can admire coffered ceilings, ornate stucco, detailed paintings, and 18th-century tile panels, some originating from the Royal Rato Factory. The main marble staircase is notable for its central eagle on the ceiling, symbolizing power and vision.

The upper floor, designated as the "noble floor," was the space dedicated to social gatherings. Here, the main hall stands out with its vaulted ceiling and rich Rococo decoration, evoking themes of natural history and allegories to the four seasons. The palace's old chapel, dedicated to Santa Rita, represents an interesting transitional period between the Rococo and Neo-classical styles.

A Dialogue with Nature and Culture

The Angeja-Palmela Palace is not merely a built structure; it is an integral part of a vast and historically relevant landscape heritage, the Monteiro-Mor Botanical Park. This botanical garden was one of the first to be conceived in Portugal in the 18th century, with the aim of complementing the natural history collections of the Marquis of Angeja.

The park, covering about eleven hectares, features a structure that still reflects the original design, with its terraces, staircases, and formally designed lakes. Its rich botanical collection, with over 250 species, includes notable specimens such as the Norfolk Island pine, plane trees, and century-old sequoias. In addition to the flora, the park is a habitat for various bird species and hosts a colony of bats, which hibernate in the palace's underground areas, making the visit a unique contact with biodiversity.

Since 1977, the Angeja-Palmela Palace has housed the National Museum of Costume, becoming the main repository of costume history in Portugal and worldwide, from the 18th century to the present day. This fusion of architecture, nature, and art offers a unique perspective on Portuguese cultural heritage.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt