Palácio do Grilo, classified as a monument of public interest (MIP) since 2011, and also known as Palácio dos Duque de Lafões , is located at the corner of Rua do Grilo and Calçada dos Duques de Lafões, rising in the parish of Beato (Lisbon) in the heart of Lisbon.
The structure is a Neoclassical-style architectural complex from the 18th century, with Baroque inspirations and motifs. The building’s construction is inextricably linked to some historical contingencies that witnessed the Palace’s extensive construction process.
Palácio do Grilo was built on top of an old palace building in Quinta do Grilo that originally belonged to D. António de Mascarenhas. The exact date of the pre-existing palace structure is uncertain. This farm was a vast property that ascended the steep slope known as Calçada dos Duques de Lafes.
Following the massive earthquake that shook Lisbon on November 1, 1755, D. Pedro Henrique de Bragança is credited with refusing to light up his residence on the occasion of Infante D. Pedro III of Portugal’s wedding to the king’s eldest daughter, Maria I of Portugal, Princess of Brazil. This episode, in turn, stemmed from the fact that D. Pedro Henrique de Bragança was one of only two candidates for the princess’s hand and thus a contender for the Portuguese throne as consort king. It should be noted that this event occurred a few years after D. Pedro Henrique de Bragança was embroiled in a feud with his uncle, King D. Joo V of Portugal, over land.
It should be noted that this event occurred a few years after D. Pedro Henrique de Bragança had a falling out with his uncle, King D. Joo V of Portugal, over a love affair between D. Pedro Henrique de Bragança and Luísa Clara de Portugal.
Following the massive earthquake in Lisbon on November 1, 1755, the 1st Duke of Lafões directed the construction of the Palácio do Grilo. This opportunity was originally given to Pedro Henrique de Bragança, but due to his untimely death in 1761, it was delegated to the Duke’s younger brother, D. João Carlos de Bragança, 2nd Duke of Lafões.
From 1759 to 2018, it was owned by the Dukes of Lafões.
Labrousse’s team wanted the setting to stay true to its roots, so only a few new pieces of furniture and decorations were added. The rest was left alone. Inside the palace, sets of mural paintings by Cirilo Wolkmar Machado or tiles from the 18th and 19th centuries can be found in thematic rooms such as the Academy Room, the Venus Room, and the Chinese Room. A gilded, carved panel from the second half of the 18th century is housed in the rectangular-shaped chapel.
Palácio do Grilo is a palace-museum-restaurant-bar-theatre-whatever the visitor desires. The Palace’s atmosphere transports you to another dimension—to dreams, to a live movie, to fantasy—with over 200 rooms to explore.
This location in Lisbon has a three-century history. It was conceived in the 18th century by the 1st Duke of Lafões, Pedro Henrique de Bragança. And, under the direction of Julien Labrousse, it reopened in June 2022. A notebook written by the Duke, an illegitimate descendant of Pedro II, the king who was born in Brazil when the crown fled, was discovered by this French businessman. He had imagined “a place that is also not a place and that can allow the soul to take the flight that best suits it.”
Three centuries later, Julien (who had relocated from Paris to Lisbon) purchased the palace and adapted it in accordance with the Duke’s wishes, preparing it to receive visitors who might simply attend performances, stroll around the rooms, or enjoy the restaurant menu or drinks in the bar.
The goal is for “people to wander, discover, and live a little in the realm of fantasy and the extravagant, while actors and dancers perform” in the various rooms. As a result, some people jump, scream, lie down, and wander around the rooms. Everyone appears to be in a different dimension and at a different time.
The palace is open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight. Free entrance.
Palacio do Grilo
1 Calçada do Duque de Lafões
1950-207 Lisboa
(+351) 910 440 942 – contact@palaciogrilo.com
