It`s true, it`s the”Portuguese Versailles”…but it reminds in many ways of the most beautiful palace in the world, of the outstanding jewel of architecture, grandeur and exaggeration.
Until I got to Palacio Queluz (at exactly 1700 km south-west of Versailles), I had some doubts that I could find anything similar to one of the grandiose Parisian landmarks in any other corner of the world, but the variant “à la Portuguese” ,although much smaller, is the perfect balance between art and aesthetic, architecture and rococo, baroque, neoclassicism and landscapes taken out from fairytales.
Everything here seems to be created but a single skillful artist (even though it had many creators): ravishing interiors, full of amazing details and impressive collections, connected in an extraordinary symbiosis to the exterior - the charming gardens ”drawn” with Flemish influence, by the landscape designer of those days, Gerald van der Kolk.
Surrealistic themes, mythology, the first artificial waterfall near Lisbon, magnolias, whole canals of azulejo and many other things that are hidden in the surroundings of the castle.
Queluz is spectacular, intriguing and sophisticated and has a kind of relaxed versatility, stronger than at Versailles. And, is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful and important landmarks of Lisbon. It`s worth visiting and shouldn`t be missed!

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