Palácio da Fronteira

The Palácio da Fronteira, also known as the Palace of the Marquesses of Fronteira, is a stunning and lesser-known gem located in the Benfica district of Lisbon, on the edge of the Monsanto Forest Park. Built in 1671 as a hunting pavilion for João de Mascarenhas, the 1st Marquis of Fronteira, this 17th-century palace is renowned for its opulent architecture, magnificent gardens, and intricate tilework that showcases the height of Portuguese Baroque and Mannerist art.

The palace’s exterior and interior are richly decorated with azulejos (Portuguese tiles) depicting battle scenes, allegories, and hunting motifs. Some of the most impressive tile panels are found in the Gallery of the Arts and the Battle Room, both featuring intricate and colorful depictions of historical and mythological scenes.

The gardens are truly enchanting and offer one of the most beautiful and serene spots in Lisbon. Designed in a formal style, they include fountains, manicured hedges, reflecting pools, and classical statues. The Garden of Kings is particularly famous for its 17 busts of Portuguese kings lining the terrace, set against vibrant blue and white tiles that shimmer in the sunlight.

Visitors can take guided tours to explore the interiors, including richly decorated rooms with period furniture, paintings, and exquisite tiles. While the palace remains a private residence, much of it is accessible to the public, especially the gardens, which are open for visitors to wander and enjoy.

The Palácio da Fronteira offers a unique glimpse into the grandeur of Portugal’s aristocratic past and the exquisite artistry of its decorative arts. It’s an ideal visit for those who appreciate architecture, history, and peaceful garden settings away from the city’s more crowded attractions.

If you’d like to read an extremely in-depth description of the tiles found in the palace, I discovered this interesting paper. You can bet I’ll be referencing it during my visit to the palace.

Visit Notes

We visited the gardens here, which were beautiful. We did not go inside because pictures aren’t allowed. I don’t love paying to go into places that don’t allow pictures.

Anyway, the gardens were worth a visit all on their own. I particularly enjoyed the black swan, who seemed to have an interesting relationship with a gardener. The gardener would walk by and the swan would swim over and bite at his gloved hand and pant leg. I can only assume that the gardener sometimes feeds the swan.