Queluz: Palace Gardens, Equestrian Art and Court History

If you are planning a stay in Queluz, you can base your choice on the town’s historic themes: the palace and gardens, equestrian art and cultural routes. Consider which of these interests you most before looking for a hotel for your trip. The places and connections below give you a concrete sense of what to expect.

Palace Gardens Between Architecture and Nature

The Jardim Botânico of the Palácio Nacional de Queluz was created between 1769 and 1780. Pineapples were grown there during the reign of D. Pedro III. The design of the other gardens also brings together water, visual art and architecture: fountains and ornamental ponds feature mythological figures, while the Cascata Grande, a typical Rococo structure, brings art and nature together.

The Canal dos Azulejos runs through the gardens from north to south and is 115 metres long. The Ribeira do Jamor flows through the canal. Its tile panels depict seaports designed from engravings and a variety of landscapes. The canal is also one of the early examples of polychrome tilework in the Rococo style. Its length and north–south route make it a clearly defined part of the gardens; its images offer visitors a distinct point of reference in art history.

Chapel, Collections and Architectural History

The Palácio Nacional de Queluz brings together Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles. The chapel was completed in 1752 to a design by Mateus Vicente de Oliveira and is one of the oldest rooms in the palace. Its main altarpiece depicts Nossa Senhora da Conceição, the patron saint of Queluz, and was painted by André Gonçalves. The current palace visit also includes access to the chapel. As access details may change, check the information before your visit.

The palace also houses a museum of decorative arts. Most of its collections belonged to the royal family. The Casa da Ópera in Queluz dates from 1778. Concerts and official events are still held in the Sala do Trono; check the official events calendar for specific dates.

Other buildings also contribute to Queluz’s historic character. The Neoclassical Palacete Pombal, also known as the Palacete dos Condes de Almeida Araújo, is classified as a National Monument. The 2nd Marquis of Pombal had it built to accommodate the royal family, who moved into the palace in Queluz after the fire at the Real Barraca da Ajuda. The Torre do Relógio dates from one of the palace’s final construction phases under D. Maria I. Since 1995, its building has housed the Pousada D. Maria I, part of the Pousadas de Portugal network. If you are considering this named accommodation, check its current accommodation status separately before booking.

Equestrian Art in Queluz and Public Displays

The Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre is based in the gardens of the Palácio Nacional de Queluz. It follows the model of the Picaria Real, the Portuguese court’s riding academy in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and is considered part of Portugal’s national cultural heritage. Some of the school’s horses are kept in the gardens of the Palácio de Queluz. However, regular public displays take place at the Picadeiro Henrique Calado on Calçada da Ajuda in Lisbon, not in Queluz. As programmes and display locations may change, check the official information before travelling.

Equestrian art is also represented by a special collection: the Biblioteca de Arte Equestre D. Diogo de Bragança, VIII Marquês de Marialva, is the only national library devoted exclusively to this subject. Visitors can consult around 2,000 publications on equestrian art, as well as prints, paintings and objects. This focus adds a perspective on the history and representation of equestrian art to a visit to the gardens.

Cultural Routes and Practical Information

The Sintra municipal government’s cultural programme includes the Roteiro Patrimonial de Queluz. The municipality’s cultural routes can be visited independently or with a guide on weekdays; guided visits require advance registration for groups of at least ten people. Confirm the booking conditions with the municipal programme before planning a guided visit.

A municipal government notice dated 14 October 2019 mentions two completed sections of the cycling and pedestrian network near the CREL and the Cidade Desportiva in Queluz. As the notice describes the completion at that time, check current conditions on site. A sculpture by José Pedro Croft, made of bush-hammered limestone, also stands by the waterfront area of Parque Urbano Felício Loureiro.

The CP Linha de Sintra is listed as a way to reach the Palácio Nacional e Jardins de Queluz. Possible stops include Queluz-Belas and Monte Abraão stations; both are about one kilometre from the palace. Check current train services, stops and distance information before travelling. This will help you choose your hotel and plan your visit around the actual routes and the aspects of Queluz that interest you.

Discover more destinations: Algueirão, São João Das Lampas, Mira-Sintra, Agualva, Colares, Sintra, Terrugem, Rio De Mouro.

Go to the main travel overview: Sintra.