Restaurants, bars and museums in Lisbon · Page 241

Necessidades Palace

Campo de Ourique · Monuments & Historic Buildings

Located on Largo do Rilvas, The Necessidades Palace (Palácio das Necessidades) is a baroque-style palace in Lisbon. The palace was originally a convent for the Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. The palace was the only royal residence to have survived the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake. During the reign of Queen Maria II of Portugal, the Necessidades Palace became the official palace of the Braganza dynasty. Luís I, preferred the Ajuda Palace. King Peter V had a slot cut in the main palace door so commoners could leave him letters with messages and/or complaints. A joint funeral service was held for King Carlos and his son Prince Luís Filipe on February 1, 1908 at the Palace. Following the service, the Palace was attacked by the cruiser Adamastor, which was participating in the October 5, 1910 revolution. The artillery shells fired at the Palace were aimed at the resident king Manuel II, who was living there at that time. One of the artillery rounds hit Manuel II’s private quarters on the first floor, but he was not present. Manuel II fled the Palace for the Palace of Mafra a short time later. The Palace was empty for almost forty years following the 1910 revolution. It was used as the Portuguese Foreign Ministry. The Palace is closed to the public, however, a terrace that is open to the public offers a good view of the 25 de Abril bridge. The terrace also has a pond with an 1747 obelisk. The Tapada das Necessidades, located near the Palace, has many rare plants, statues, and walking paths. The grounds are used for outdoor concerts. Bus 773, from Largo do Rato, stops at the Tapada.

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