Belem Palace (Palacio Nacional de Belem) description and photos - Portugal: Lisbon (Topic)

Palacio Nacional de Belem description and photos - Portugal: Lisbon. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Palacio Nacional de Belem.

Photo and description

Lisbon, a city with a long history, is located at the mouth of the Tagus River. The city is spread over seven hills, and this location was very beneficial for the city in the event of an attack. Lisbon is full of contrasts: tiny streets and wide avenues, modern buildings and houses of the 19th century, and this makes it very attractive for tourists.

Belem National Palace, built on a hill, is located in the Belem district, in which many architectural monuments of the era of the great geographical discoveries. The palace was the official residence of the Portuguese kings, as well as the presidents of the Portuguese republic thereafter. When the President of Portugal stops at the palace today, the national flag is raised. The palace overlooks Afonso Square Alburkerke, which is adjacent to the banks of the Tagus River, and not far from the Jeronimos Monastery. Due to the color of the facade, the Belem Palace is often called the “pink palace.”

The palace was built in 1559 by the Duke of Aveiras. In the 18th century, Joao V bought the palace, and by his order the interior of the palace was completely changed. The main facade of the palace consists of five buildings. The architecture of the central building combines Mannerism and Baroque style. The two side buildings form a terrace, which is separated by balustrades and can be accessed by side stairs. At the top, the side stairs are decorated with 12 azulejos tiles. On the terrace, you can see 14 panels of tiles "azulejos", which depict scenes from the life of heroes of mythology, such as "The exploits of Hercules" and others. At the entrance to the palace, we find ourselves in the "Zala-dash-Bikash" (literally - "Water supply hall"),

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Topic: Belem Palace (Palacio Nacional de Belem) description and photos - Portugal: Lisbon.