Queluz Palace Near Lisbon
This Beautiful Palace is Also Known as the Portuguese Versailles
Following the 1755 earthquake that destroyed much of Lisbon, including the Palace, Queluz became the Royal Family's home. Until then it had been their Summer Palace.
It was in the 18th century that Joao V had his hunting lodge transformed into a Rococo palace. At that time it was simply what is now the central portion which includes the Music Room and Chapel. Following the marriage of Pedro III and Maria I, the building was extended, with the help of French architect Jean-Baptiste Robillion.
The building is a pretty pink and white construction with a red-tiled roof. Although some parts are two storeys high, mostly it is just one floor, but the rooms have very high ceilings.
All of the important rooms overlook the formal gardens such as the Malta and Hanging Gardens. With the geometrically designed beds, topiary, statues, pools and fountains they are very reminiscent of France's Versailles Palace gardens.
Inside there are more reminders of Versailles with a Throne Room resembling Versailles' Hall of Mirrors. Everything in here seems to be in cream, green and gold with gilded statues of Atlas and, of course, mirrors.
In contrast, the Music Room has a quiet elegance with a few musical instruments on display.
The most outstanding of the family bedrooms is the royal bedroom, named the Don Quixote Room. Although square, it gives the impression of being circular because of its magnificent domed ceiling and intricately designed floor of several types of exotic woods. With its leaf green walls interspersed with mirrors, murals on the walls and ceiling, the usual Rococo gold embellishments and a magnificent crystal chandelier, it is hardly a restful room.
Several kings and queens of Portugal slept here and Pedro IV - the first Emperor of Brazil - was born and died in this room.
To reach this bedroom visitors pass through the Corridor of Sleeves (Corredor das Mangas) with magnificent azulejo (Portuguese tile) panels depicting the seasons, the continents and hunting scenes. They are along one wall while opposite are windows looking onto the gardens.
Next is the magnificent Sala dos Emaixadors - a room constructed to impress diplomats from other countries. It was also used as a concert hall. Here again all is green, white and gold with crystal chandeliers. The ceiling is a trompe l'oeil showing the royal family at a concert.
After the breathtaking tour of the inside, it is a relief to stroll through the gardens admiring the plants, the statues and the ponds upon which a pair of elegant swans glide.
Open hours: 9.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. (closed on Tuesday)
Admission: Adults $6 (4 euros)/Seniors and 15-25 yrs - discount/under 14 yrs - free.
When Napoleon invaded Portugal the royal family fled to Brazil, which is how Pedro IV became the first Emperor of that country. Once there they built the Royal Palace at Petropolis in the hills outside Rio de Janeiro.
To some more Portuguese palaces it is worth driving to the town of Sintra.
More information can be found about Portugal on their web site.
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