Page 117 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

Manicured formal
gardens of the Jardim
Botânico da Ajuda

accusing them of conspiracy. Italian-style gardens provide
In 1759 they were savagely a pleasant respite from the
tortured and executed. Their noisy suburbs of Belém.
deaths are commemorated The en trance on Calçada da €20 million
by a pillar in Beco do Chão Ajuda (wrought-iron gates
Salgado, off Rua de Belém. in a pink wall) is easy to miss. The cost of building the
The Neo-Classical domed The park comprises 5,000 spectacular Museu de
church has a marble-clad plant species from Africa, Arte, Arquitetura
interior and a small chapel, on Asia and America. Notable e Tecnologia.
the right, containing the tomb features are the 400-year-
of Pombal, who died at the old dragon tree, native of
age of 83, a year after being Madeira, and the flamboy ant
banished from Lisbon. 18th-century foun tain deco- The palace only became
rated with serpents, winged a permanent residence of
fish, sea horses and mythical the royal family when Luís I
creatures. A majestic terrace became king in 1861 and
15 "' looks out over the lower level married an Italian Princess,
Jardim Botânico of the gardens. Maria Pia di Savoia. No
da Ajuda expense was spared in
furnishing the apartments,
 C7 ⌂ Calçada da Ajuda
@ 714, 727, 728, 729, 732 16 "' which are decorated with silk
v 18 # 9am–6pm daily Palácio Nacional wallpaper, Sèvres porcelain
and crystal chandeliers.
(to 8pm May–Sep) ¢ 1 Jan, da Ajuda
25 Dec ∑ isa.ulisboa.pt/jba A prime example of regal
 D7 ⌂ Largo da Ajuda excess is the extraordinary
Laid out on two levels by @ 732, 742, 760 v 18 Saxe Room, a wedding
Pombal in 1768, these present to Maria Pia from
# 10am–5:30pm Thu–Tue
(last adm 5pm) ¢ 1 Jan, the King of Saxony, in which
Easter, 1 May, 13 Jun, 25 Dec every piece of furniture is
INSIDER TIP deco rated with Meissen
Plan(t) Ahead ∑ palacioajuda.gov.pt porcelain. On the first floor
To view the most exotic The royal palace, which was the huge Banqueting Hall,
plant specimens in the destroyed by fire in 1795, with crystal chandeliers, silk-
Jardim Botânico da was re placed in the early 19th covered chairs and an allegory
Ajuda, head straight for century by this magnificent of the birth of João VI on the
the upper level. Here Neo-Classical building set frescoed ceiling, is truly
you can delight at the around a large quadrangle. It impressive. At the other end
ancient dragon tree was left incomplete when the of the palace, Luís I’s Neo-
from Madeira and a royal family was forced into Gothic painting studio is a
sprawling Schotia Afra. exile in Brazil in 1807, following more intimate display of
the invasion of Portugal. intricately carved furniture.
117

116-117_EW_Portugal.indd 117 20/09/2018 10:39