Ajuda Palace

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Basic info

Type of attraction

Palace & Museum

Portuguese name

Palácio Nacional da Ajuda

Location

Largo da Ajuda – 1349-021 Lisboa

Website (portuguese)
Email
+351 213 637 095

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How to visit

Prices

General Ticket: 8,00€
Young (13 to 24): 4,00€
Senior (65 and over): 4,00€
Family Ticket*: 4,00€ (per person)

*Mininum: 1 Adult + 1 Young (aged 13 to 24)

Free access
  • Children (aged 12 and under)
  • Person with (or over) 60% disability & escort
Opening times

Thursday to Tuesday
10 am – 6 pm

Last admission: 5:30 pm

Closing days

Wednesday
Jan 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, June 13, Dec 25

Location

Largo da Ajuda – 1349-021 Lisboa

Public transports

Train: Belém Railway Station
+ Bus 729

Bus:
76B, 203, 742, 760, 771 > Lg. Ajuda – Palácio (Stop)

729 > Palácio Nac. Ajuda (Stop)

Tram: 18E > Palácio Nac. Ajuda (Stop)

More details

  • Banquet Hall: with crystal chandeliers, a huge table and mirrors. The fresco painting on the ceiling (by José da Cunha Taborda) symbolizes the birth of King John VI.
  • Dispatch Room: with 18th century tapestries depicting scenes from the life of Alexander the Great, such as the “Battle of Porus”.
  • Blue Room: dominated by the blue silk tone of the upholstery and curtains.
  • Marble Room: with walls and ceiling covered in alabaster and a central fountain crafted in Carrara marble.
  • Queen Room: the cobalt blue silk that decorates the walls stands out. Displays exquisite parisian furniture.
  • Chinese Room: doors and wainscoting are adorned with chinese motifs painted by José Procópio Ribeiro.
  • King John VI Room: walls and ceiling are covered with paintings by Arcângelo Foschini. Features an impressive mural painting depicting the arrival of King John VI and the royal family from their exile in Brazil.
  • Throne Room: exudes solemnity. The 18th century throne chairs are crafted with gilded carvings.
  • Room for the Ladies of the Diplomatic Corps: decorated with tapestries from the Royal Manufacture of Gobelins. The tapestry “Dance in the Serralho gardens” is particularly noteworthy.

1794 – A fire destroys the royal palace.

1796 – Beginning of the construction of the Royal Palace of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda.

1807 – Napoleonic invasion. Exile of the royal family to Brazil. The palace is left incomplete.

1861-89 – Reign of King Louis I. The Palace becomes the official residence of the royal family.

1910 – End of Monarchy. Establishment of the Republic of Portugal. The palace is closed.

1968 – Opening as a museum to the public.

2018-2020 – Construction works to complete the west wing of the palace. Project by João Carlos dos Santos.

the surroundings

  • Royal Treasure Museum (in Palace of Ajuda)
  • MAAT (1,5 km)
  • Jerónimos Monastery (1,6 km)
  • Monument to the Discoveries (2,1 km)
  • Museum of Contemporary Art/CCB (2,3 km)
  • Belém Tower (2,7 km)
  • Coisas Caseiras (300 m)
  • Andorinhas (450 m)
  • Rota dos Petiscos (450 m)
  • Mestrias Tasca Nova (600 m)
  • Espaço Açores (750 m)