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Begun in 1747 by the Infante Dom Pedro (later to become
Dom Pedro III) on the basis of a former country mansion
of the Marquises of Castelo Rodrigo, Queluz Palace (classified
as a National Monument) at that time began to be adapted
for use as a summer seat of the Royal Family.
The main body of the Palace, erected by 1758, with its
low sinuous forms and harmonious intimist decoration, was
completed after the marriage of the Infante Dom Pedro to
Dona Maria Francisca, the future Dona Maria I (1760), at
which time the opulent interior halls were embellished,
as were the luxurious Palace gardens, which were endowed
with Baroque fountains, statues and places for recreation.
An important part in these improvements was taken by the
great French architect Robillion (died 1782), who was responsible
for the well known "Robillion Pavilion".
Queluz, which has not infrequently been compared with Versailles
Palace, differs from Louis XIV's edifice (in fact of earlier
date) in the sense of scale and proportions revealed in
its lines, perhaps with a more balanced distribution of
graphic values, within a neo-classicism as yet not bound
to the rococo formulae. Only the force and exuberance of
the pavilion conceived by Robillion, with its strong French
and Austrian influence, strikes a more "evolved" note, for
all the rest is thoroughly Portuguese, its scale and in
the artistic spirit itself.
The Palace is open from 10:00 till 13:00 and from 14:00
till 17:00.The gardens are open from 10:00 till 17:00 (November-April)
from 10 till 18:30 (May-October).
Shows of the Portuguese Cavalry School at 11:00 every Thursdays
between May and October (except in August).
Entry:
Palace and Gardens : 500 Escudos (2.50 Euros)
Gardens: 100 Escudos (0.50 Euros)
Show: 1.200 Escudos (6.00 Euros)
Discounts:
Children up to 14 years old: free From 14 up to 25 years:
50% discount
From 65 years: 50% discount
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