About this place
Palácio do Alfeite is a former royal residence in Almada, on the south bank of the Tagus opposite Lisbon. The palace stands on the old Quinta do Alfeite, an estate with centuries of history, and today sits inside a Portuguese Navy military area.
How far back does the history of Alfeite go?
Alfeite's story is tied to Almada. The earliest references concern the grant of Almada's lands to the English crusaders who helped Afonso Henriques take Lisbon. Later, King Ferdinand I gave the Quinta do Alfeite as part of the dowry of Leonor Teles.
After the 1383 revolution the estate was confiscated. In 1384 the Master of Avis granted it to Nuno Álvares Pereira, one of the key figures of the age. At Alfeite he gathered a force of some 200 lances, which in April 1384 defeated the troops of John of Castile at the Battle of Atoleiros.
Who owned the estate?
In 1499 the property passed to the Counts of Tarouca. In 1690 it was folded into the Casa do Infantado, an institution created by John IV for Infante Peter, the future Peter II. From then on Alfeite was bound to the royal family.
Why did the royal family love Alfeite?
The palace and its grounds were among the favourite properties of King Carlos I and Queen Amélia. Carlos favoured the estate for hunting and leisure. It covered more than 300 hectares along the south bank of the Tagus, from Ponta dos Corvos to Caramujo and Romeira in Cova da Piedade. In 1858 the palace received significant improvements.
What happens to the palace today?
In 1958 the Portuguese Navy installed a naval base on the estate. Since then few civilians have had the chance to see the palace up close, and the building remains largely hidden from visitors. The Navy's cultural directorate publishes work on its history, and the Arsenal do Alfeite operates nearby.
Can you visit Palácio do Alfeite?
There is no regular tourist entrance, because the palace lies inside a military zone. Visits happen only occasionally, during cultural events or special tours, so check the Navy or Almada municipality websites before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Palácio do Alfeite? In Almada, in the Alfeite area on the south bank of the Tagus, across the river from Lisbon.
Who lived in the palace? The estate belonged to the Counts of Tarouca, then to the Casa do Infantado, and in the 19th and early 20th centuries it was a favourite of King Carlos I and Queen Amélia.
What happened in 1384 in connection with Alfeite? Nuno Álvares Pereira assembled a force here that defeated the Castilians at Atoleiros.
Is the palace open to tourists? Not day to day. Since 1958 the grounds have housed a naval base, so access is restricted.
How big was the estate? More than 300 hectares along the Tagus, from Ponta dos Corvos to Cova da Piedade.
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