Impressive 12th century castle overlooking the town. The castle was built to defend against reconquest by the Moors, and this did indeed happen on 2 occasions. The castle also contains a 15th century palace within its walls

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The Palace at Queluz was built in the latter half of the 18th century from a design by two of the periods most esteemed architects; Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Robillon and the Portuguese Mateus Vicente de Oliveira. Together they created this "Portuguese Versailles" in the Rococo style as a manor house for King Pedro II.

During the reign of Maria I (1777-99) Queluz becamethe official residence of the Royal family. Unfortunately for Maria I she is largely remembered for her bouts of mania followed by slumps into prolonged depressions.

The main façade of the palace is relatively...

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