Page 75 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

BELÉM  73

savagely tortured and t Palácio Nacional
executed. Their deaths are da Ajuda
commemorated by a pillar
in Beco do Chão Salgado, off Largo da Ajuda. Map 2 D2. Tel 213
Rua de Belém. 620 264. @ 732, 742, 760. v 18.
The Neo-Classical domed Open 10am–5:30pm Thu–Tue (last
admission 5pm). Closed 1 Jan, Easter,
church has a marble-clad 1 May, 25 Dec. & (free first Sun of the
interior and a small chapel, on month). 7 8 ∑ palacioajuda.pt
the right, containing the tomb
of Pombal. He died at the age The royal palace, destroyed by
of 83, a year after he had been fire in 1795, was replaced in the
banished from Lisbon. early 19th century by this Neo-
Classical building. It was left
The simple Manueline chapel, Ermida r Jardim Botânico incomplete when the royal
de São Jerónimo family was forced into exile
w Ermida de da Ajuda in Brazil in 1807.
The palace only became a
São Jerónimo Calçada da Ajuda. Map 1 C2. permanent residence of the
Tel 213 622 503. @ 714, 727, 728,
Praça de Itália. Map 1 A3. 729, 732. v 18. Open 10am–5pm royal family when Luís I became
Tel 210 966 989. @ 714, 728, 729, daily. Closed 1 Jan, 25 Dec. & 7 king in 1861 and married an
732, 751. Open Mon–Sat (by ∑ jardimbotanicodajuda.com Italian Princess, Maria Pia di
appt only). Savoia. No expense was spared
Laid out on two levels in furnishing the apartments,
Also known as the Capela de by Pombal (see p19) in which feature silk wallpaper,
São Jerónimo, this elegant little 1768, these Italian-style Sèvres porcelain and
chapel was constructed in 1514 gardens provide a crystal chandeliers.
when Diogo Boitac was working pleasant respite from A prime example of
on the Jerónimos monastery the noisy suburbs of regal excess is the
(see pp68–9). Although a far Belém. The entrance extraordinary Saxe Room,
simpler building, it is also (wrought-iron gates a wedding present to
Manueline in style and may in a pink wall) is Maria Pia from the King
have been built to a design easy to miss. The of Saxony, in which
by Boitac. The only decorative park comprises every piece of furniture
elements on the monolithic 5,000 plant is decorated with
chapel are the four pinnacles, species from Meissen porcelain.
corner gargoyles and Manueline Africa, Asia On the first
portal. Perched on a quiet hill and America. 19th-century throne from the floor, the huge
above Belém, the chapel has Notable features Palácio Nacional da Ajuda Banqueting Hall,
fine views down to the Tagus are the 400-year- with crystal
river and a path from the terrace old dragon tree, native chandeliers, silk-covered chairs
winds down the hill towards of Madeira, and the and an allegory of the birth of
the Torre de Belém. 18th-century fountain João VI on the frescoed ceiling,
decorated with serpents, is truly impressive. At the other
winged fish, sea horses and end of the palace, Luís I’s Neo-
e Igreja da Memória mythical creatures. A terrace Gothic painting studio is a
looks out over the lower level more intimate display of
Calçada do Galvão, Ajuda. Map 1 C3.
Tel 213 635 295. @ 728, 732. v 18. of the gardens. intricately carved furniture.
Open for Mass 6pm Mon–Sat, 10am
Sun. 5 7
Built in 1760, the church
was founded by King José I
in gratitude for his escape from
an assassination plot on this
site in 1758. The king was
returning from a secret liaison
with a lady of the noble Távora
family when his carriage was
attacked and a bullet hit him
in the arm. Pombal (see p19)
used this as an excuse to get
rid of his enemies in the Távora
family, accusing them of
conspiracy. In 1759 they were Manicured formal gardens of the Jardim Botânico da Ajuda

072-073_EW_Lisbon.indd 73 17/10/16 11:34 am