Date

Circa 1910

The main construction began in 1746 under the direction of the Infante Dom Pedro of Braganza (1717-1786), uncle and subsequently king-consort (as Peter III) to Mary I. It became the official royal residence from 10 November 1794 until 27 November 1807, when the Napoleonic invasion forced the royal family to depart for exile in Brazil. The new central east wing (1746-1758) and the chapel (1750-1752) were designed by Mateus Vicente de Oliveira. The main façade of this wing was turned inwards to face the formal gardens (designed by Jean-Baptiste Robillon), and it emphasizes the way the garden was considered to be an extension of the palace. By 1758 Robillon was entrusted with the direction of the works, dramatically changing the style of the palace.