Hard of the heels of the Queen’s Jubilee, Portugal’s new Royal Treasure Museum has opened to the public in Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, in Lisbon, offering a permanent display of the Crown Jewels.
With over one thousand pieces, the collection comprises rare and valuable jewellery, insignia and decorations, coins, and pieces of civil and religious items such as the emerald headpiece of Dona Mariana, what is thought to be the second largest gold nugget in the world. It also includes the snuff box ordered by Don José from the King of France's goldsmith in the 18th century.
With over one thousand pieces, the collection comprises rare and valuable jewellery, insignia and decorations, coins, and pieces of civil and religious items such as the emerald headpiece of Dona Mariana, what is thought to be the second largest gold nugget in the world. It also includes the snuff box ordered by Don José from the King of France's goldsmith in the 18th century.
Snuff Box © Caixa de Tabaco_PNA_ManuelSilveiraRamos_DGPC_ADF
The Royal Treasure Museum, divided into eleven zones, highlights the artistic and symbolic value of the pieces, explaining their role in the service of the monarchy and ceremonial functions.
Royal Crown ©ATL_Museu do Tesouro Real (5)
They include jewels belonging to the State and from the ancient private collections of different members of the Portuguese royal family between the 17th and 20th centuries as well as a group of 23 pieces reserved for the Crown's greatest public ceremonies.
Silver Table Service ©ATL_Museu do Tesouro Real (28)
The museum is open daily from 10.00am to 7.00pm (6.00pm in winter). The entry price for adults is €10, for youngsters (7 to 24 years old) and seniors (over 65 years old) is €7 and entry is free for children up to 6 years and for Lisboa Card holders. There is a family ticket price of €32.
For more information, go to http://www.tesouroreal.pt/en
For more information, go to http://www.tesouroreal.pt/en