What is the name of the Baroque palace in Lisbon destroyed by the 1755 earthquake?

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The Baroque palace in Lisbon destroyed by the 1755 earthquake was the Paço da Ribeira.

Built beside the Tagus River, the palace became the principal royal residence of Portugal after King Manuel I ordered its construction in 1498. It replaced the medieval Paço da Alcáçova and stood in the area now occupied by Praça do Comércio, historically known as Terreiro do Paço.

For roughly 250 years, the Ribeira Palace grew into a large royal complex filled with artworks and objects acquired during Portugal’s imperial and commercial expansion. Its chapel even served temporarily as the Patriarchal Church of Lisbon. The palace was also associated with the restoration of the Braganza dynasty in 1640.

On 1 November 1755, the Lisbon earthquake struck, followed by a tsunami and widespread fires. The Paço da Ribeira was completely destroyed, along with much of its precious contents. King José I and the court subsequently lived in a temporary wooden-and-canvas complex at Ajuda, eventually leading to the later Ajuda Palace. Mafra, Queluz, and Ajuda were separate palaces, not the destroyed riverside residence.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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