São Bento Palace

As you stand before the imposing white facade of the Pal-ah-see-oh deh Sown Ben-too, you are looking at the very heart of the Portuguese Republic. This monumental building houses the Assembleia da Re-poo-blee-kah, Portugal's…

Take a moment to study the facade in detail. This neo-classical exterior was largely the work of Ven-too-rah Teh-rah at the turn of the 20th century, replacing the simpler monastic front. …

Entering the main atrium, you are stepping into what was once the nave of the primitive monastery church. This is one of the few spaces that remains largely unchanged in its proportions since the 16th century. …

Now we enter the most critical room in the palace: the Sah-lah dahs Seh-sõ-esh. This is the hemicycle where the 230 members of parliament meet to debate and vote. …

We move now to the Sah-lah do Seh-nah-do, formerly the monastery's chapter house. This room served as the Chamber of Peers during the monarchy and later as the Corporative Chamber during the Estado Novo. …

The Sah-lah Doh-nyah Mah-ree-ah Seh-goon-dah is perhaps the most refined room in the palace. Named after the queen who reigned during the palace's early days as the seat of parliament, it features a stunning ceiling with floral…

Finally, we visit the Sah-lah doosh Pah-soosh Pehr-dee-doosh, or the Hall of Lost Steps. This is the large foyer contiguous to the Chamber of Sessions. …

As we depart from the Palácio de São Bento, we carry with us a deeper understanding of the foundations of the Portuguese state. This building is a physical chronicle of the nation's history, a place where the silent walls of a…