Palácio Nacional de Belém

"With more than 500 years of history, the National Palace of Belém has been, since the establishment of the Republic, the official residence of the President of the Portuguese Republic. Its first owner was D. Manuel de Portugal, son of the Counts of Vimioso. In the 16th century, he built a first, smaller palace, whose area corresponds to the current protocol rooms. It remained in the same family until 1726, the year in which King D. João V purchased the entire property from the 3rd Count of Aveiras, a descendant of the first owner, as well as several nearby farms. From then on, it became a holiday home for the royal family. Exceptionally, some sovereigns even resided at Real Quinta de Belém: D. Catarina de Bragança, after being widowed by Charles II of England; D. Maria II and her husband, D. Fernando II, between 1844 and 1846; D. Carlos and D. Amélia, still princes, when they got married. With the establishment of the Republic, the Palace gained a new role, being chosen as the official residence of the President. In light of the egalitarian principles of the new regime, all Presidents who during the First Republic (1910-1926) chose to live in the Belém Palace paid a monthly rent, initially 100 escudos. This happened, for example, with Manuel de Arriaga and Bernardino Machado, or Teixeira Gomes, who paid an increased amount. This imposition was only repealed in 1928."

"The official residence of the President of Portugal, Belém Palace is an elegant building with beautiful gardens. While the palace itself is not open to the public, you can enjoy the exterior and surrounding area."