The Ajuda National Palace is located in Lisbon, Portugal. Built as a summer residence for the Portuguese monarchy, the palace grounds high in the Ajuda hills date back to the mid 1700’s. Ownership of the grounds returned to the Portuguese state after the Revolution of 1910. Today, the palace is open as a museum and houses a collection of Portuguese decorative and fine art dating from the 15th through 20th century.

  • What is the Ajuda National Palace?
    • The Ajuda National Palace is a historic Baroque and neo-classical palace in Lisbon, Portugal.
    • It was originally built to house the Portuguese Royal Family after the 1755 earthquake.
    • The palace became an official residence of the Portuguese Monarchy in the late 19th century.
  • When did the palace open as a museum?
    • The palace opened to the public as a museum in 1968.
    • Since 1992, it has been under the care of the Portuguese Institute of Architectural Heritage.
  • What collections are housed at the Ajuda National Palace?
    • The palace features a vast collection of decorative arts, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, and furniture.
    • Many of the items once belonged to the Portuguese monarchy and were returned after the 1910 Revolution.
  • What are the highlights of the palace’s collections?
    • Decorative Arts Collection: Includes furnishings, ceramics, glass, jewelry, textiles, and gold and silverware.
    • Civilian Objects: Features 19th-century utensils, kitchenware, smoking equipment, and make-up kits.
    • Ceramics Collection: A 17,000-piece collection featuring Chinese export porcelain, as well as fine German and French ceramics.
    • Gold and Silverware: Dating back to the 14th century, including religious and royal silverware, such as the famous “Germain” tableware commissioned by King José I.
    • Glassware Collection: Includes 12,500 pieces of decorative and utilitarian glass from Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, and England.
    • Furniture Collection: Reflects 19th-century European styles mixed with Asian and naturalistic influences.
    • Textiles Collection: Includes Royal chapel vestments, 17th-century clothing, and European tapestries.
    • Painting and Photography: Features 1,500 paintings, 7,000 photographs, and 400 sculptures, primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries.
    • Jewelry Collection: Includes Royal House Splendor Jewelry, crown jewels, ceremonial adornments, and Italian and French fine jewelry from the 19th century.
  • What is the history of the Ajuda National Palace?
    • The palace was originally built in the mid-1700s as a wooden structure after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
    • By 1795, the first stone was laid for a permanent Baroque-style palace, though construction did not fully begin until 1802.
    • After the 1807 invasion by France, construction slowed as the Royal Family fled to Brazil.
    • The palace was completed in the 19th century in a neo-classical style under King Luís I and Queen Maria Pia.
    • Following the 1910 Revolution, the palace fell into disrepair but was restored and opened as a museum.
  • What can visitors see and do at the palace?
    • Visitors can tour the ground floor, which represents the Royal Family’s 18th and 19th-century lifestyle.
    • The state rooms, still used for government galas and events, are also open for tours.
  • Are there ongoing programs and educational activities?
    • The palace offers guided tours and educational programs exploring the history, art, and culture of the Portuguese monarchy.
  • What is the contact information for Ajuda National Palace?
    • Largo da Ajuda 1349-021 Lisbon, Portugal, Phone: +35-12-13-63-70-95

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