Portuguese Royal Palaces, Castles and other Buildings

[JSP]

Originally Posted by amedea

Is it possible to visit Belem Palace and Necessidades Palace even if the host the precidency and the foreign minister?

Belém Palace is the official residence of the President.

It is opened very few days each year.

Necessidades Palace nowaday is the Foreign Office Head Office.
Usually it is not opened.
I visited it last year at Europe day, the day the EU had its 50th birthday.
I think you may visit it if you would write to the Head-Secretary of the FO.
Don't write to the Minister !
In spite of being a non-existing person he has nothing to do with that.
The Head Secretary is the lady that superintends the maintenamce of the Palace.
Our fellow poster Alberto (the very much anti-miguelist poster ) has the proper contacts
Right, Alberto ?
Zé

[Regina]

Originally Posted by JSP

Don't write to the Minister !
In spite of being a non-existing person he has nothing to do with that.

hehe you made me laugh with your comment, JSP! You're right.

Well, about the palaces:

Sol's magazine - tabu (Nº 157) interviewed the only citizen of Mafra Palace

His name is Gil Magens, 82 years old, and he is a symbolic guardian of the palace. He was born in the palace and after the republic revolution, his family and other families were allowed to continue living there.

His father attended the Royal School of Mafra, he served as a military and was also a guardian of this palace while Dom Carlos was still a King.

Mr. Gil Magens never left the country, he lives alone is his big (!) house :) and he's happy remembering the past.

Gil Magens

Magens in his Palace

His room

Room 2

room 3

[Elsa M.]

Yes, it is possible to visit those palaces, although not everyday. Belém at least organizes guided tours on Saturdays...