HISTORIC PALACES AROUND LISBON |
Guided tours of the Royal Palaces, a must do in Lisbon
Anyone who visits Lisbon quickly realizes that the city's architecture has a before and after the great earthquake of 1755. This dramatic event completely destroyed the grandeur and wealth of the Lisbon that spanned the Middle Ages, the Discoveries... and the opulent and luxurious era of the Magnanimous King João V. It has never risen from the wreckage.
The terrible, deadly and destructive earthquake had a huge impact on the lives of the survivors and the generations that followed them.
What followed was a period of profound changes in mentalities, values and economic and social organization. For visitors wandering around modern-day Lisbon and wanting to learn more about the history of Lisbon and Portugal, there is a first step: take guided tours of these magnificent historic palaces that surround Lisbon
Royal Palace of Queluz | ||
In some details Queluz wanted to rival the Versailles in Paris The palace of Queluz is located just a few kilometers from Lisbon on the road to Sintra. It was built in the 18th century by Pedro, brother of King José I, both sons of King João V.
Initially intended as a summer residence, it evolved into a royal residence when it was decided that Pedro would marry his niece ...and heir to the throne, Maria Francisca. | ||
Royal Palace, Convent and Basilic of Mafra | ||
One of the largest palace complexes in the world The Royal Building of Mafra, commonly known as the Palace or Convent of Mafra, was built in 1717 by King João V and is considered one of the largest palace complexes in the world. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019
The extraordinary size of the building, which encompasses a palace, a convent, a basilica, a garden and a hunting reserve, ... can be better understood by those who don't already know it by looking at some of the figures that characterize it: it covers an area of 38,000 m, has 1,200 rooms, 4,700 doors and windows and 156 staircases, two carillons with 92 bells - the largest of their time and a set of 6 historic organs in the Basilica. | ||
Pena Palace | ||
A palace made of dreams where many nightmares have been lived This wonderful building and its gardens were born out of the dream of a young 22-year-old German prince, Ferdinand, that came to Portugal in 1836 at the age of 19 to marry the even younger queen, Maria II, aged 17.
Ferdinand II was an elegant, convivial, cultured young man, a lover of the arts, a enthusiastic supporter of Romanticism. Although he admired and loved his wife, ... he soon became disinterested turbulent Portuguese politics and saw the birth of a new passion, Sintra!
When he was presented with the green hills of Sintra, the woods, the cool, misty climate, the ruins of the Moorish Castle and also of an old convent situated on an even higher peak, he decided to buy those places out of his own pocket and build a palace on that pinnacle, in the style of the extravagant and colorful palaces of central Europe. It would be aimed to royal family's leisure, rest and intimate interaction with nature. | ||
Ajuda Palace | ||
Before it was built, a luxurious wooden palace stood on the same site. King Joseph I was afraid of another earthquake. Situated in Lisbon in a location that goes unnoticed by visitors to the city, but very close to the highly touristic monuments of Belém, the Ajuda Palace was built following the destruction of the large and wealthy Ribeira Palace in the 1755 earthquake.... the palace was renovated and became the permanent residence of the royal family in 1862, when the 23-year-old Portuguese king Luis I married the 15-year-old Italian princess Maria Pia. | ||
https://lisbonvantours.com/tours/lisbon-overview-tour |
Fronteira Palace | ||
The art of telling history through illustrated tiles Portugal was ruled for 60 years by the kings of Spain and, in 1640, a group of Portuguese nobles staged a coup d'état to put a Portuguese king, João IV, on the throne, paving the way for the last dynasty, the Bragança. This triggered a 28-year war between Spain and Portugal, known as the Restoration War.... During this war, the Portuguese nobility was divided between the supporters of the King of Spain and the new King of Portugal. After several victorious battles on the Portuguese side, peace was achieved by the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668.
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Bacalhoa Palace and Estate | ||
History, art, beautiful vineyards and wine The Bacalhoa Palace and Estate is located a few kilometers south of Lisbon and is a privileged place where history, art and the beautiful green vineyards of the Arrábida Natural Park come together.... | ||