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Palace · Oeiras, Lisbon
Palace of the Marquis of Pombal
18th‑century palace in Oeiras’s historic center, the country residence of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the Marquis of Pombal. The French‑influenced gardens include the Cascade of the Poets, the Casa da Pesca and tile‑clad terraces. Classified as a National Monument since 1940.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Palace of the Marquis of Pombal
The palace was built in the 18th century beside the Ribeira da Laje as the main house of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo’s country estate; he was minister to King D. José I and received the title Count of Oeiras and later Marquis of Pombal. The project is attributed to architect Carlos Mardel, who worked on several buildings in the Lisbon rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake.
The gardens were conceived as part of the whole, with the geometry and perspectives of the period’s French gardens. The best‑known features are the Cascade of the Poets, with marble busts of epic poets, the Water Garden with the Fountain of the Four Seasons, the entrance pergola, the Araucaria Terrace with a tiled staircase, and the Casa da Pesca on the upper part of the estate. The wine cellar is also part of the property.
The palace and gardens were classified as a National Monument in 1940. The complex belongs to the municipality of Oeiras, which restored the gardens and opened them to the public; it functions as a cultural space with exhibitions, concerts and events throughout the year. Oeiras’s tourist office is located in the palace.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour and a half for the gardens and the palace exterior.
Best time
In the early hours of the day or at dusk, when the gardens are cooler. The gardens are open every day; to visit the interior, check the visiting conditions in advance.
How to get there
In Oeiras’s historic center, at Largo Marquês de Pombal, about 1 km from Oeiras train station on the Cascais line.
Tip
Start at the tourist office in the palace to pick up a garden map, and allow time to observe the terraces and the tiled staircases.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Palace of the Marquis of Pombal
Who built the Palace of the Marquis of Pombal in Oeiras?
It was built in the 18th century for Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the Marquis of Pombal, with the design attributed to the architect Carlos Mardel.
What can you see in the Marquis of Pombal’s gardens?
The Cascata dos Poetas, the Water Garden with the Fountain of the Four Seasons, the Araucaria terrace with its tiled staircase, and the Casa da Pesca.
Are the Marquis of Pombal’s gardens open every day?
Yes, the gardens are open every day. Confirm the visiting conditions for the interior of the palace in advance.