Beau-Séjour Palace

Beau-Séjour Palace (Portuguese: Palácio do Beau-Séjour) is a 19th-century manor house in Lisbon, in the civil parish of São Domingos de Benfica. It stands on the former Quinta do Beau-Séjour, also known as the Quinta das Campainhas. Today it houses the Gabinete de Estudos Olisiponenses, the city's unit for research into Lisbon's history, and a romantic garden surrounds the building.

Who built Beau-Séjour Palace?

The house was commissioned around 1849 by the Viscondessa da Regaleira. The estate was meant to make the journey between Sintra and Lisbon less tiring, serving as a resting stop along the way. Accounts describe the property as vast, reaching almost to where the Estádio da Luz stands today.

It was built in a Parisian romantic style, which gives the place a distinctly French look. The name itself means "beautiful stay".

The Barão da Glória and the tiles

In 1859 the viscountess's niece and heir sold the estate to a longtime friend, the Barão da Glória, who had made his fortune in Rio de Janeiro before returning to Portugal. The new owner changed the property considerably. He had the simple, elegant façades covered in Portuguese azulejos, with stamped tiles from the Viúva Lamego factory. He also brought many tree species to the garden, among them the araucaria and the sequoia.

Interiors and the Bordalo Pinheiro family

Between 1887 and 1892 the interiors received a decorative campaign. The Bordalo Pinheiro siblings, Rafael, Columbano and Maria Augusta, took part. These are major names in 19th-century Portuguese art, and the decoration is one reason the palace interests art-history enthusiasts.

The garden

The garden is an example of a romantic landscape with the exotic atmosphere typical of its time. In 1992 the Lisbon municipality restored its original layout as far as was still possible. Look for the large trees from distant parts of the world planted in the baron's day.

Protection and present use

The Quinta do Beau-Séjour was classified as a Monumento de Interesse Público in 1996. The palace is used by the Gabinete de Estudos Olisiponenses of the Lisbon municipality. Local media have also reported plans to rehabilitate the palace and its garden, including a kiosk in the park, so check the current situation before visiting.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Beau-Séjour Palace? In Lisbon, in the parish of São Domingos de Benfica, at roughly 38.7467 N, 9.1828 W.

When was it built? Around 1849, commissioned by the Viscondessa da Regaleira.

Who was its best-known owner? The Barão da Glória, who bought the estate in 1859 and covered the building in azulejos.

What is inside today? The Gabinete de Estudos Olisiponenses, a municipal unit researching the history of Lisbon.

Is the palace protected? Yes. It has held Monumento de Interesse Público status since 1996.