PALÁCIO NACIONAL DE QUELUZ

Another palace once home to the Portuguese royal family, in Queluz, near Lisbon. Built in the ^18th century, this former hunting lodge was transformed into a summer residence for Prince Pedro III and Queen Maria after the Palais de l'Ajuda burned down in 1794, and is often dubbed the "Portuguese Versailles" for its rococo and neoclassical architecture and sumptuous formal gardens. A symbol of the refinement of the Portuguese court. However, unlike the Château de Versailles, the Château de Queluz is on a human scale - all things considered, the palace is 7,000 m² in size. The surrounding gardens cover an area of 33,000 m², and are an essential part of the site's charm. Stroll around the Neptune fountain, a remarkable work by British sculptor John Cheere, and stroll along the symmetrical paths and carefully tended flowerbeds. The garden features an astonishing labyrinth of plants and groves offering more private, shaded spaces, as well as a vast 115 m-long canal covered with azulejos. The gardens invite you to "take a stroll" back in time, to an era when sumptuous festivities were held at court, with gondola rides on the canal, theater, musical and literary evenings, masked balls, games and open-air recitals. All in a dream setting, embellished with waterfalls and elegant water features. Finally, a visit to the château itself consists of a succession of rooms, each more sumptuous than the last, richly decorated and adorned with magnificent murals and antique furniture. You can visit the Queen's private apartments, the Music Room, the Throne Room and the Ambassadors' Room, certainly one of the most spectacular rooms in the palace. It was used for royal receptions and official ceremonies. The long corridors follow one another in this luxurious and refined setting. The recently restored Royal Chapel is also open to the public. Each room has a unique story to tell, and every detail has been carefully thought out to reflect the grandeur and culture of the period. It's easy to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Portuguese court of the XVIIIᵉ and XIXᵉ centuries, with a glimpse of traditional Portuguese equestrian art, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at the school in the gardens.