Queluz Palace, Lisbon, Portugal

The Palace of Queluz is a Portuguese 18th-century palace located at Queluz in the Lisbon District. One of the last great Rococo buildings to be designed in Europe, the palace was conceived as a summer retreat for Dom Pedro of Braganza, later to become husband and then king consort to his own niece, Queen Maria I. It served as a discreet place of incarceration for Queen Maria as her descent into madness continued in the years following Dom Pedro's death in 1786. Following the destruction by fire of the Ajuda Palace in 1794, Queluz Palace became the official residence of the Portuguese prince regent, John VI, and his family and remained so until the Royal Family fled to the Portuguese colony of Brazil in 1807 following the French invasion of Portugal.

Work on the palace began in 1747 under the architect Mateus Vicente de Oliveira. Despite being far smaller, the palace is often referred to as the Portuguese Versailles. From 1826, the palace slowly fell from favour with the Portuguese sovereigns. In 1908, it became the property of the state. Following a serious fire in 1934, which gutted the interior, the palace was extensively restored, and today is open to the public as a major tourist attraction.

One wing of the palace, the Pavilion of Dona Maria, built between 1785 and 1792 by the architect Manuel Caetano de Sousa, is now a guest house allocated to foreign heads of state visiting Portugal.

References:

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User Reviews

Minna Lahti (3 years ago)
Magnificent, well kept palace that somehow still seems "sized for humans". Lots of information to be found from the info tablets or one can just enjoy looking at the beautiful furniture and ceilings. Long, straight corridors where one can imagine the queens and kings walking, entertaining and living. There is also a tiled canal and large gardens which unfortunately I didn't get to really enjoy as it was pouring out.

Gustavo Pytlik (3 years ago)
Highly recommended! A lot of history of the Portuguese monarchy. The palace is very well preserved. The gardens are very beautiful (you will need some time to walk around them). There is also a nice coffee shop inside for a quick snack or coffee.

Kyle (3 years ago)
Doesn't cost much for so much to see. Took me a solid two hours to walk the whole palace and gardens but was actually a great experience. Cafeteria lady was super nice and informative as well. There is a nice restaurant in the old kitchen building!!

Jackie Roth (3 years ago)
Beautiful Rococo design and stunning chandeliers throughout. The nobility really know how to live. Truly worth a visit. We essentially had this incredible palace to ourselves. Both exterior and interior are amazing and well worth the 10 euro entrance fee.

Rui Pedro (4 years ago)
Disabled people friendly place Splendid and majestic rooms A very very pleasant garden with some masterpieces. Really worth a visit. Requires some time to be fully enjoyed

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