Royal Treasury Museum in Lisbon
If you are planning to see the Portuguese Crown Jewels at the Royal Treasury Museum in Lisbon, here is everything you need to know.
Plan your visit
The Royal Treasury Museum is located in the west wing at the National Palace of Ajuda. As this is a high security building, you need to lock your bags and backpacks in cupboards, that is opposite the entrance. You need coins for this. The tour will end at the lockers so you can collect your bags again as you leave.
If you have the Lisbon card you just show it at the desk, otherwise standard admission is €10.
You will go thru security and then take the elevator up to the exhibition.
Royal Treasury Museum
The museum is located in the west wing of the National Palace of Ajuda.
As the grand plans for the new palace were never finished, due to lack of funds thru the years. In 2018, building work started on the new wing, set to hold the Portuguese Crown Jewels. It is a high security building with a vault over three floors.
After entering the vault, you can walk around over the three floors. Everything is displayed behind glass and has accurate descriptions and lighting. It is hard to photograph due to the glass as it reflects on the camera.
It is slightly colder in the vault as of the air-condition so bring something to put on, especially if it is warm outside.
It is slightly colder in the vault as of the air-condition so bring something to put on, especially if it is warm outside.
Brazil gold nugget
By the end of the 16th century, the Portuguese found large deposits of gold in Brazil, after almost 200 years of searching. In the 17th century, a large number of diamonds were found, and taken back to Lisbon and Portugal.
The exhibition holds several gold nuggets in different sizes, all taken from Brazil to Lisbon.
The Crown Jewels
The Crown Jewels were created after the distribution of King João VI estate and would be worn by the sovereigns but were owned by the State.
The Ajuda Palace collection was jewellery and objects were privately owned by different members of the Royal family and the Portuguese sovereigns from the 17th century.
The Bow brooch, made from Colombian Emeralds, was made for Queen Maria Bárbara of Spain, and inherited by one of her Portuguese nieces.
Diadem of the Stars was a set, including a necklace commissioned for Queen Maria Pia in 1863. It is fashioned out of gold, silver, and colourless diamonds, with the largest stone in the circlet, a yellow diamond called the Maria Pia.
We can find paintings of Maria Pia wearing the stars and pictures of Queen Amelia. Both the Diadem and necklace are on display at the Royal Treasury.
The Germain silver table service
Ordered by King José I in 1756, after the earthquake, almost all of this unique Germain stately silver table service remains as part of a national heritage.
In a symmetrical fashion, this à la française, was arranged as a stage, which was the custom in courts around Europe.
The Silver service is nicely displayed behind glass, with mirrors behind allowing you to see the symmetrical display as it would have been used.
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Accessibility and facilities
The building is fully accessible and has elevators and facilities. The WC is found at the end of the tour alongside a nice cafe/restaurant.
The WC is much nicer and more modern that the ones at the National Palace, so if you plan to visit both, use the one here.
At the end, there is a nice museum shop where you can buy books and souvenirs.
Public transport
By Tram: E15 to Mosteiro dos Jeórnimos (it will take apx. 26 min (uphill) to walk to the palace from here or take busses E18 or 729).
By Bus:
Palácio Nacional Ajuda: no E18, 729
Lg. Ajuda (Palácio): no 76B, 742, 760 (these busses stop just opposite the palace entrance walk thru the palace to the other side to find the treasury).
R. D. Vasco: no 732 (it will take apx. 8 min to walk up to the palace from this bus stop.
Parking is available close to the Palace.
Tickets
Adult €10
Children 7-24 years old €7
Children until 6 years old go for free
Lisbon Card go for free
Family (2 Adult & 2 Junior) €32
Opening times
Monday to Sunday
10.00am to 7.00pm