Belém Palace
Palácio Nacional de Belém · Belém
building in Santa Maria de Belém, Lisbon District, Portugal and official residence of the President of the Portuguese Republic
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Palácio Nacional de Belém, a building that has served as the official residence of the President of the Portuguese Republic since the implementation of the Republic in 1910. With a history spanning over five…
Listen in the app2The Rampa and the Changing of the Guard
Your journey into the palace begins at the entrance ramp, a grand approach guarded by the Presidential Squadron. This is the path taken by visiting heads of state and official guests of the President. …
Listen in the app3Pátio dos Bichos — From Wild Animals to Official Portals
At the top of the ramp, you arrive at the Pátio dos Bichos, or the 'Courtyard of the Beasts.' This curious name dates back to an era when the royal family kept exotic animals here—lions, tigers, and other wild creatures brought…
Listen in the app4Sala das Bicas — Marble, Emperors, and Journalists
Entering the palace, you are greeted by the Sala das Bicas, or the 'Room of the Spouts.' This is perhaps the most famous room in the palace for modern Portuguese citizens, as it is where the President's guests frequently make…
Listen in the app5Sala Dourada and the Paula Rego Chapel
Next, we enter the Sala Dourada, or the Golden Room. The ceiling of this room is considered one of the most grand in all of Portugal, executed in the 18th century. …
Listen in the app6Sala do Império and the Hall of Ambassadors
Continuing through the noble wing, we reach the Sala do Império, or the Empire Room. This space is named for its Empire-style furniture, though it was previously known as the Room of the Presidents because it once held the…
Listen in the app7The President's Office and the 'Lion Chair'
We now arrive at the most functional heart of the building: the President's Audience Office. For many years, this room served as a royal bedroom—it was where Queen Amélia slept in 1886. …
Listen in the app8The Gardens of Belém Palace — A View of the Tagus
The final part of our tour takes us into the magnificent gardens of the Belém Palace. The most famous is the Jardim do Bucho, a formal boxwood garden that offers a privileged view over the Belém region and the Tagus River. …
Listen in the app9Closing
As you conclude your tour of the Palácio Nacional de Belém and descend back toward the Afonso de Albuquerque Square, the salmon-pink walls remain behind you as a symbol of the continuity and dignity of the Portuguese state. You…
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What is Belém Palace?
Belém Palace is a place in Belém with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Belém |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 9 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 38.6980, -9.2006 |
| Last updated |
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