Palace of Ajuda was begun in 1802, but after the royal family fled Portugal for Brazil during the Napoleonic Wars, construction slowed. In 1861, Ajuda Palace finally become the residence of the Portuguese monarchy until 1910, when the Portuguese Republic was established and the palace was closed. It reopened in 1968 as a museum with collections from the 15th to 20th centuries. Visitors can view an array of decorative arts, including ceramics, sculpture, photography, jewelry, metals, furniture, gold and silverware, paintings, textiles, civilian objects, costumes of the royal family, and decorative glass objects from the palace. The palace is still used for official ceremonies.
Largo de Ajuda, 1349-021 Lisbon, Portugal, Phone: 351-213-637-095