Out of adversity came a palace

On 1 November 1755 All Saints Day an earthquake of epic proportions hit Lisbon. Subsequent fires and a tsunami led to the destruction of much of downtown Lisbon.

The event was widely discussed and dwelt upon by European Enlightenment philosophers, and inspired major developments in theodicy. As the first earthquake studied scientifically for its effects over a large area, it led to the birth of modern seismology and earthquake engineering.

Visitors to Lisbon can still see the devastating impact of the earthquake in the Carmo Convent, which was preserved to remind Lisboners of the event.

The court remained at this site living in a series of wooden structures and tents for nearly three decades, in a luxurious atmosphere until the King's death in 1777.

In November 1794, during the reign of Queen Mary I and the Prince-Regent, the royal tent was destroyed by fire, although the fire-fighters were able to save the library and church.

Those who visit the National Palace of Ajuda will notice in front in the middle of a parking lot the remains of the church's bell tower.

The intial design was overcomplicated, with mounting confusion and difficulties between the architects and contractors, on 21 January 1802, José da Costa e Silva and Francisco Xavier Fabri, were invited by the Crown to present a new project. Based on the Palace of Caserta in Naples, designed by Luigi Vanvitelli , Costa e Silva and Fabri respected what was already constructed, but introduced necessary alterations to change the Royal Palace into a more dignified, serious and majestic building.

The French General Junot insisted that the building should continue. But in 1809, the French invasion of the Portuguese territory and the cost of the construction of the Royal Palace in Brazil the Paço de São Cristóvão caused construction to stop.

After the Liberal victory, King Pedro took over the Regency, for the duration of time his daughter D. Maria da Glória’s was too young to assume the Throne, and in 1834 swore to uphold the Constitutional Charter in the Throne Room at the Ajuda Palace.

Throughout the Queen Maria II’s reign (1819-1853) and the short reign of King Pedro V (1837-1861), the Royal Family took up residence in the Necessidades Palace.

The new layout and decor of the rooms, entrusted to architect Joaquim Possidónio Narciso da Silva, followed the recent standards of comfort, privacy and hygiene, typical of the 19th century bourgeois mentality. More intimate and sheltered spaces were now required. New rooms were introduced in the ground floor: the Dining Room, for daily family meals, a living room - the Blue Room - and leisure areas, such as the Marble Room and the Billiards Room; finally the bathrooms, provided with running water, hot and cold.

The Ground Floor, extending from the Music Hall alongside the western façade, reserved for the private chambers. The “Noble” Floor, was reserved for gala receptions and The Palace became the stage of Council of State meetings, of big gala events - banquets and official receptions - and of daily family life: Prince Carlos (1863-1908) and Prince Afonso (1865-1920) were born here.

After King Luís I’s death in 1889 the busy life at the Ajuda Palace changed deeply. Under the new reign the Court had split up between three Palaces: Ajuda, Belém and Necessidades. The Ajuda “noble” floor nonetheless remained reserved for official ceremonies.
In 1910, when the Republic was established and the Royal family subsequently went into exile, the Palace was closed. After a period of restricted access the Palace opened to the public on the 20th of August 1968, offering a glimpse of the environments and collections of a Royal Household of the late 19th century.
Since 1996 this royal residence has undergone a reconstitution process, as accurate as possible, several rooms having been refurbished according to rigorous historical research criteria.
Apart from being one of the most important museum institutions for the Decorative Arts in the country, the Ajuda National Palace is still today the stage of State ceremonial events.

The completion of the palace

In November 2014 it was announced that last remaining wing of the palace was to be constructed.

This new wing (to be complete by 2020), will not only see the completion of the palace, over 200 years after the first stone was laid. The wing will also be the permanent home of the palace's collection and will display thousands of Royal and jewels.