Queluz is now a large town of Greater Lisbon, very populated and known thanks to its 18th century royal Palace. It is strange to find this marvellous Palace in the middle of a town like Queluz which is very built up with concrete buildings. But in the 18th century, things where not the same. The whole area was countryside and several noble families had "Quintas" here, agricultural properties where they came to spend the summer or practise hunting.
The festivals, music concerts and operas in Queluz were something quite extraordinary according to the Portuguese and foreign writers of that period. With time, the palace underwent some transformations, large restoration campaigns took place, but this palace is still the best example of French influence in Portugal. Most of the buildings are open to the public, another is used as the residence of Heads of state ontheir official visits to Portugal and the old kitchen is now a rather selective restaurant. The Throne Room is often used for classical music concerts. In frontof the palace there is a very large garden designed by Robillon in the "Le Nôtre" style with statues, ponds, waterfalls where the majority of theroyal court parties took place. In the lower part thereis also a large park. In Queluz there are often beautiful horse orsound and light shows where they recreate the atmosphere of the past.
Started in 1747 by Dom Pedro (who was to become king Dom Pedro III) on the base of the former country mansion of Marquess de Castelo Rodrigo, Queluz Palace (classified National Monument) was then remodeled to become the royal family's place of residence in summer.
The main body of the Palace, erected in 1758, with its low curved shapes and harmonious intimist decoration, was completed after Dom Pedro's wedding to Dona Maria Francisca, future Dona Maria I (1760), and it was then that the opulent rooms and halls were embellished, together with the luxurious Palace Gardens, which were endowed with baroque style fountains and entertainment areas. Great French architect Robillion (died 1782) played an important part in these transformations, he created the "Robillion Pavillion". Queluz Palace is frequently compared to Versailles Palace, but - except for the pavillion which was built by Robillion with strong French influence - it is very portuguese in its vastness as well as its artistic inspiration.
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Queluz - Ballroom front |
Queluz - Music room |
Queluz - Robillion wing |
Now part of the Palace is used by the Portuguese state as the residence of Heads of state and government on their official visits to Portugal and for specific meetings. It is also open to the public, so make sure that you sample one of the numerous delights served in the Cozinha Velha, now a rather selective restaurant, situated in one wing of the building; and take the opportunity to admire the incredible pieces of decorative art on display, all from the royal collections. The Throne Room is often used for classical music concerts.
In front of the palace there is a very large garden designed by Robillon in the Le Nôtre style with statues, ponds, waterfalls where the majority of the royal court parties took place. In the lower part there is also a large park. In Queluz there are often beautiful horse or sound and light shows where they recreate the atmosphere of the past.
To see absolutely
- Throne room, with mirrors and gilded woods
- Music room
- Porcelain room, with china from portuguese, chinese, french, english origin.
- Azulejos hall
- Ambassadors hall with a beautiful ceiling
- Don Quixote room, with paintings that illustrate the hero's life
- Picinc room, with paintings representing the royal picnics
- the Queen's boudoir
Open from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00. Closed on Tuesdaysi.
To go home, you have to get back onto the IC 19 to Sintra and continue towards Ericeira, don't forget to turn left towards Terrugem to get onto N 247.
6 km before Ericeira take the road towards S.Julião, on your left. S.Julião is a beautiful beach south of Ericeira sheltered by a cliff. Just by there is a Chapel with the same name, it dates back to the 16th century and was restored in the 18th century. The inside is decorated with azulejos from the 18th century which tell the story of this saint's life.
