The Royal Palace of Queluz (Portuguese: Palácio Real de Queluz), also known as the National Palace of Queluz, was one of the residences of the Portuguese royal family. It is located in the town of Queluz, a city near Lisbon belonging to the municipality of Sintra. Originally a small recreational villa, King Pedro III converted it into an authentic royal palace throughout several construction campaigns during the 19th century. After the fire of the Real Barraca de Ajuda in 1794, it was the main residence of the House of Braganza, a preeminent position that it maintained until the French invasion of 1807.
During the century it was progressively less frequented and in 1908 Manuel II handed it over to the state. Since then it has been a museum open to the public. After a fire in 1934, half of the palace was completely destroyed, and it was later rebuilt, although only partially. In 2000 it was declared a World Heritage Site.
History
Background: the Quinta de Queluz
The origin of the Quinta de Queluz dates back to the end of the century, when Cristóvão de Moura ordered the construction of a small hunting lodge that, in 1630, his son Manuel de Moura transformed into a summer villa "Quinta (urban planning)". The core of this first building would correspond to the future Cozinha Velha (Old kitchen, currently a restaurant).[1].
In 1642, the Quinta de Queluz was confiscated by King Juan IV, due to the support of the de Moura for the Spanish cause, and incorporated into the House of Infantado"), the assets that corresponded to the secondgeniture") of the House of Braganza. Queluz continued to be used as a summer villa, without major alterations, with the exception of the renovation of the stables in 1735. That same year, Queluz was returned to the Moura family, Marquises of Castel-Rodrigo, with the Casa de Infantado having to pay rent for its use.[1].
The construction of the palace (1747-1786)
The great expansion of Queluz was the work of the infante, and later king, Pedro III, creating a royal palace that would become a reference for palatine architecture of the 19th century.
National Palace of Queluz
Introduction
The Royal Palace of Queluz (Portuguese: Palácio Real de Queluz), also known as the National Palace of Queluz, was one of the residences of the Portuguese royal family. It is located in the town of Queluz, a city near Lisbon belonging to the municipality of Sintra. Originally a small recreational villa, King Pedro III converted it into an authentic royal palace throughout several construction campaigns during the 19th century. After the fire of the Real Barraca de Ajuda in 1794, it was the main residence of the House of Braganza, a preeminent position that it maintained until the French invasion of 1807.
During the century it was progressively less frequented and in 1908 Manuel II handed it over to the state. Since then it has been a museum open to the public. After a fire in 1934, half of the palace was completely destroyed, and it was later rebuilt, although only partially. In 2000 it was declared a World Heritage Site.
History
Background: the Quinta de Queluz
The origin of the Quinta de Queluz dates back to the end of the century, when Cristóvão de Moura ordered the construction of a small hunting lodge that, in 1630, his son Manuel de Moura transformed into a summer villa "Quinta (urban planning)". The core of this first building would correspond to the future Cozinha Velha (Old kitchen, currently a restaurant).[1].
In 1642, the Quinta de Queluz was confiscated by King Juan IV, due to the support of the de Moura for the Spanish cause, and incorporated into the House of Infantado"), the assets that corresponded to the secondgeniture") of the House of Braganza. Queluz continued to be used as a summer villa, without major alterations, with the exception of the renovation of the stables in 1735. That same year, Queluz was returned to the Moura family, Marquises of Castel-Rodrigo, with the Casa de Infantado having to pay rent for its use.[1].
The first works began in 1747, altering the land and the surrounding park. It was not until 1751, after the fire of the Corte Real palace, the Lisbon residence of Infante Pedro, when priority was given to the buildings. The following year Mateus Vicente de Oliveira expanded the old palace to the south, creating the so-called Central Body; A new chapel was also built at the east end. In 1757 Pedro finally bought the Quinta de Queluz from the Marquis of Castel-Rodrigo.[1].
In 1758 the architect Jean Baptiste Robillion became director of works of Queluz, beginning the construction of the west wing with the large Hall of Ambassadors for the kissers and the so-called "Robillion Pavilion" with the infant's quarters.
After his wedding with the crown princess María in 1760, the infant Pedro became prince of Brazil and the Quinta de Queluz became a royal palace. The works campaign was intensified with the creation of the east wing which would contain two new large reception spaces: the Music Room and the Throne Room. From 1764 to 1767 Robillion carried out the Rococo decoration of the main façade facing the garden; In 1768 the decoration of the Throne Room began, completed in 1774;[2] and the same year a new Casa da Ópera (court theater) was built in a new pavilion at the south end of the east wing.[1].
The last campaign took place from 1777, the year in which Peter and Mary ascended the throne, and was characterized by finishing previous projects and adapting the palace to the growing royal family. Starting in 1784, the architect Manuel Caetano de Sousa "directed the works after Robillion's death, taking charge of building new stables and demolishing the Casa da Ópera (inaugurated in 1782) to build a new pavilion for the crown prince José. The following year he expanded the palace with an upper floor for the infante Juan and his wife the infanta Carlota Joaquina de Spain.[1].
When Pedro III died in 1786, the Queluz palace was largely finished. The best architects, decorators and gardeners in Europe had participated in its construction; However, despite the Italian and French influence, the palace had typically Portuguese features, such as the blue tiles, the famous azulejos. The palace had been conceived as a summer and recreational residence, the solemn audiences continued to take place in the Real Barraca of Ajuda. The first official audience in Queluz only took place in 1782, on the occasion of the visit of the new apostolic nuncio, Vicente Ranuzi.[3].
The royal residence and the French invasion (1786-1808)
Shortly after the death of Pedro III, his first-born son José died, the health condition of Queen María I worsened, and she began to reside in the pavilion at the southeast end, originally intended for her son and which since then would be known as Pavilhão D. Maria. In 1792, Prince John assumed the regency on his mother's behalf. After the fire of the Real Barraca of Ajuda "Ajuda (Lisbon)") in 1794, Queluz became the main residence of the Portuguese royal family. The palace then underwent small decorative changes, such as new canopies for the Hall of Ambassadors and the Throne Room, or the carpeting of several rooms, replaced at the beginning of the century by parquet.[1].
On November 27, 1807, faced with the French invasion "Treaty of Fontainebleau (1807)"), the royal family left Portugal for Brazil. During the Napoleonic occupation the palace experienced important changes in furniture, since General Junot commissioned the transfer of several pieces to the Bemposta Palace, his residence. Likewise, redecoration was also commissioned in nine rooms, probably in anticipation of a visit from Napoleon. In July 1808, several pieces of silver tableware left the palace, and in September of the same year it became the headquarters of the English troops.[1].
The slow decline of the palace (1808-1908)
After the Napoleonic storm, the Queluz palace did not regain its former importance. Although important interior redecoration works took place from 1819 to 1821, John VI preferred the Bemposta palace in Lisbon and, after refusing to swear the constitution of 1822, Queen Carlota Joaquina was exiled to the Ramalhão palace in Sintra.[4].
After the accession of Miguel I to the throne in 1826, Queluz once again became the habitual residence of the monarch, as well as Queen Carlota Joaquina and Princess María Benedicta, both of whom died in the palace in 1830 and 1829, respectively. After the end of the liberal wars and the expulsion of the absolutist Miguel I, on March 28, 1834 the extinction of the House of Infantado was decreed and the transfer of its palaces (including Queluz) to the service of the Crown.[5] King Pedro IV, first emperor of Brazil, died in the palace on September 24, 1834.[1].
Since then, the various Portuguese monarchs would only visit Queluz sporadically, preferring the Lisbon palaces of Necessidades and Ajuda as their habitual residence; the palace of Vila Viçosa, that of Mafra and the Quinta de Alfeite for hunting and the citadel of Cascais as a summer residence.[6] In the middle of the century the king consort Fernando II ordered the transfer of furniture and objects from Queluz to the palaces of Necessidades and Ajuda. King Ludwig I and Queen Maria Pia occasionally visited the palace, adapting a dining room, a smoking room and a sculpture workshop for the queen. In 1901, the Superior Council of National Monuments warned of the poor condition of the palace and, finally in 1908, King Manuel II transferred it to the Fazenda Nacional (State Heritage).[1].
The palace as a museum (1908-2020)
After the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910, the Royal Palace of Queluz was renamed the National Palace of Queluz, in the same way as other historic royal residences. Although open to the public on a regular basis, part of its buildings served to house the Agricultural School of Pomology and Horticulture. From 1913 to 1921 several rooms were restored, and in 1931 the restoration of the roofs and electrical installation began.[1].
On October 4, 1934, as a result of restoration works, the Queluz palace suffered a devastating fire, which destroyed the Robillion Pavilion, the Central Body and practically the entire upper floor. Reconstruction began the following year, but for practical and financial reasons it was decided not to rebuild the entire upper floor. Also controversial was the demolition in 1939 of the old house from the 1630s built by Manuel de Moura. The restored palace was inaugurated in 1940 and two years later a commemorative statue of Mary I was placed in the entrance courtyard.[1].
In 1957 the so-called Pavilhão D. Maria was prepared to house foreign heads of state on an official visit, the first occupant was Queen Isabel II the same year. More recently, in 2014, it hosted the kings of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia.[7].
In 2000, the Queluz Palace was declared a World Heritage Site and twelve years later, it became managed by the public company Parques de Sintra - Monte da Lua. An extensive revaluation and recovery program then began that included the complete renovation of the facades, which recovered their original colors between 2015 and 2016.[8].
• - The Central Body before restoration.
• - The Central Body after restoration.
• - The Throne Room before restoration.
• - The Throne Room after restoration.
Inside
The interior of the palace received no less attention than the exterior in terms of details and design. French craftsmen were employed to decorate the halls and rooms, many of which were small. Allegories and historical scenes were depicted on its walls and ceilings. Polished baked clay tiles were used on the floors, which gave a rustic appearance, but also served to cool the palace in hot weather.
• - Portuguese School of Equestrian Art.
• - Wikimedia Commons hosts a multimedia category on Queluz Palace.
The construction of the palace (1747-1786)
The great expansion of Queluz was the work of the infante, and later king, Pedro III, creating a royal palace that would become a reference for palatine architecture of the 19th century.
The first works began in 1747, altering the land and the surrounding park. It was not until 1751, after the fire of the Corte Real palace, the Lisbon residence of Infante Pedro, when priority was given to the buildings. The following year Mateus Vicente de Oliveira expanded the old palace to the south, creating the so-called Central Body; A new chapel was also built at the east end. In 1757 Pedro finally bought the Quinta de Queluz from the Marquis of Castel-Rodrigo.[1].
In 1758 the architect Jean Baptiste Robillion became director of works of Queluz, beginning the construction of the west wing with the large Hall of Ambassadors for the kissers and the so-called "Robillion Pavilion" with the infant's quarters.
After his wedding with the crown princess María in 1760, the infant Pedro became prince of Brazil and the Quinta de Queluz became a royal palace. The works campaign was intensified with the creation of the east wing which would contain two new large reception spaces: the Music Room and the Throne Room. From 1764 to 1767 Robillion carried out the Rococo decoration of the main façade facing the garden; In 1768 the decoration of the Throne Room began, completed in 1774;[2] and the same year a new Casa da Ópera (court theater) was built in a new pavilion at the south end of the east wing.[1].
The last campaign took place from 1777, the year in which Peter and Mary ascended the throne, and was characterized by finishing previous projects and adapting the palace to the growing royal family. Starting in 1784, the architect Manuel Caetano de Sousa "directed the works after Robillion's death, taking charge of building new stables and demolishing the Casa da Ópera (inaugurated in 1782) to build a new pavilion for the crown prince José. The following year he expanded the palace with an upper floor for the infante Juan and his wife the infanta Carlota Joaquina de Spain.[1].
When Pedro III died in 1786, the Queluz palace was largely finished. The best architects, decorators and gardeners in Europe had participated in its construction; However, despite the Italian and French influence, the palace had typically Portuguese features, such as the blue tiles, the famous azulejos. The palace had been conceived as a summer and recreational residence, the solemn audiences continued to take place in the Real Barraca of Ajuda. The first official audience in Queluz only took place in 1782, on the occasion of the visit of the new apostolic nuncio, Vicente Ranuzi.[3].
The royal residence and the French invasion (1786-1808)
Shortly after the death of Pedro III, his first-born son José died, the health condition of Queen María I worsened, and she began to reside in the pavilion at the southeast end, originally intended for her son and which since then would be known as Pavilhão D. Maria. In 1792, Prince John assumed the regency on his mother's behalf. After the fire of the Real Barraca of Ajuda "Ajuda (Lisbon)") in 1794, Queluz became the main residence of the Portuguese royal family. The palace then underwent small decorative changes, such as new canopies for the Hall of Ambassadors and the Throne Room, or the carpeting of several rooms, replaced at the beginning of the century by parquet.[1].
On November 27, 1807, faced with the French invasion "Treaty of Fontainebleau (1807)"), the royal family left Portugal for Brazil. During the Napoleonic occupation the palace experienced important changes in furniture, since General Junot commissioned the transfer of several pieces to the Bemposta Palace, his residence. Likewise, redecoration was also commissioned in nine rooms, probably in anticipation of a visit from Napoleon. In July 1808, several pieces of silver tableware left the palace, and in September of the same year it became the headquarters of the English troops.[1].
The slow decline of the palace (1808-1908)
After the Napoleonic storm, the Queluz palace did not regain its former importance. Although important interior redecoration works took place from 1819 to 1821, John VI preferred the Bemposta palace in Lisbon and, after refusing to swear the constitution of 1822, Queen Carlota Joaquina was exiled to the Ramalhão palace in Sintra.[4].
After the accession of Miguel I to the throne in 1826, Queluz once again became the habitual residence of the monarch, as well as Queen Carlota Joaquina and Princess María Benedicta, both of whom died in the palace in 1830 and 1829, respectively. After the end of the liberal wars and the expulsion of the absolutist Miguel I, on March 28, 1834 the extinction of the House of Infantado was decreed and the transfer of its palaces (including Queluz) to the service of the Crown.[5] King Pedro IV, first emperor of Brazil, died in the palace on September 24, 1834.[1].
Since then, the various Portuguese monarchs would only visit Queluz sporadically, preferring the Lisbon palaces of Necessidades and Ajuda as their habitual residence; the palace of Vila Viçosa, that of Mafra and the Quinta de Alfeite for hunting and the citadel of Cascais as a summer residence.[6] In the middle of the century the king consort Fernando II ordered the transfer of furniture and objects from Queluz to the palaces of Necessidades and Ajuda. King Ludwig I and Queen Maria Pia occasionally visited the palace, adapting a dining room, a smoking room and a sculpture workshop for the queen. In 1901, the Superior Council of National Monuments warned of the poor condition of the palace and, finally in 1908, King Manuel II transferred it to the Fazenda Nacional (State Heritage).[1].
The palace as a museum (1908-2020)
After the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910, the Royal Palace of Queluz was renamed the National Palace of Queluz, in the same way as other historic royal residences. Although open to the public on a regular basis, part of its buildings served to house the Agricultural School of Pomology and Horticulture. From 1913 to 1921 several rooms were restored, and in 1931 the restoration of the roofs and electrical installation began.[1].
On October 4, 1934, as a result of restoration works, the Queluz palace suffered a devastating fire, which destroyed the Robillion Pavilion, the Central Body and practically the entire upper floor. Reconstruction began the following year, but for practical and financial reasons it was decided not to rebuild the entire upper floor. Also controversial was the demolition in 1939 of the old house from the 1630s built by Manuel de Moura. The restored palace was inaugurated in 1940 and two years later a commemorative statue of Mary I was placed in the entrance courtyard.[1].
In 1957 the so-called Pavilhão D. Maria was prepared to house foreign heads of state on an official visit, the first occupant was Queen Isabel II the same year. More recently, in 2014, it hosted the kings of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia.[7].
In 2000, the Queluz Palace was declared a World Heritage Site and twelve years later, it became managed by the public company Parques de Sintra - Monte da Lua. An extensive revaluation and recovery program then began that included the complete renovation of the facades, which recovered their original colors between 2015 and 2016.[8].
• - The Central Body before restoration.
• - The Central Body after restoration.
• - The Throne Room before restoration.
• - The Throne Room after restoration.
Inside
The interior of the palace received no less attention than the exterior in terms of details and design. French craftsmen were employed to decorate the halls and rooms, many of which were small. Allegories and historical scenes were depicted on its walls and ceilings. Polished baked clay tiles were used on the floors, which gave a rustic appearance, but also served to cool the palace in hot weather.
• - Portuguese School of Equestrian Art.
• - Wikimedia Commons hosts a multimedia category on Queluz Palace.