For the first time ever, more than one thousand jewels and precious objects of the Portuguese Royal Crown are in permanent public display. Museu do Tesouro Real, a breathtaking museum located in the new west wing of the Ajuda National Palace, proudly displays this exhibition in one of the largest vaults in the world. We took a closer look at this awe-inspiring attraction below, as Museu do Tesouro Real is recognised in the Portuguese Business Awards 2026.
Located in the Ajuda district of Lisbon, the Palace of Ajuda is an iconic landmark that symbolises the rich history of Portugal. With its construction, beginning in 1795, spanning the course of more than two centuries – distinguished by regular interruptions from natural disasters, political tension, and financial challenges – the neoclassical structure represents the period of significant shifts that transformed Portugal politically and culturally from the late 18th century through to the early 20th century.
Originally built to house the royal family after the 1755 earthquake and tsunami, the Palace did not become a permanent royal residence until the latter half of the 19th century, under the reign of King Luís I and his wife, Queen Maria Pia of Savoy. Their occupancy sparked a new era for Ajuda, marked by a new mission to complete and modernise the palace whilst aligning it with contemporary standards of comfort and style.
The 5 October 1910 Revolution marked the overthrow of the Portuguese monarchy and the establishment of the First Portuguese Republic, an event driven by widespread discontent with the monarchy’s inability to adapt to modern times. The royal family was forced into exile to the UK, and the Palace of Ajuda would no longer function as a royal residence. This marked the end of a long era for Ajuda, one that had played a significant role in Portugal’s legacy for over a century.
In the years that followed the revolution, the Palace of Ajuda was transformed into a national heritage site. The new government recognised the palace’s cultural and historical value, and made extensive efforts to preserve its legacy for future generations. Over time, Ajuda was repurposed to serve various functions, including housing government offices and, today, it is still the official banquet house for official receptions of the President of the Portuguese Republic and where is the ceremony of the Portuguese Government taking office. Furthermore, substantial portions of the palace were opened to the public as a museum, showcasing the many art collections, furnishings, and personal items of the monarchy.
Today, the Palace of Ajuda offers tourists and history buffs a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of Portugal’s royal family, providing invaluable insights into the artistic, cultural, and social aspects of the 19th century court. The palace-museum’s mission is to study, conserve, restore, enhance, and divulge the collections of the Portuguese Royal Household, in addition to safeguarding the authenticity of its interiors as an iconic historic residence.
Within the new west wing of this historical building is the Museu do Tesouro Real, also known as the Royal Treasure Museum. The Museu do Tesouro Real was created to permanently exhibit a unique, internationally recognised collection of valuable assets from the former Portuguese Crown Treasure. Previously hidden in a secret place, away from the public somewhere in Lisbon, this collection is now permanently on display for visitors for the very first time since June 2022.
This collection is a unique treasure of more than 22,000 gemstones, showcasing the finest European jewellery and goldsmithery from the 16th century to the early 20th century – including the most impressive 18th century European royal tableware, and one of the biggest golden nuggets ever found. Equalling the finest royal treasures in Europe, this collection stands out for its value, rarity, and historical significance, positioning Museu do Tesouro Real as a national landmark and significant reference point in European museology.
The exhibition is presented across eleven distinct collections of goldsmithery, jewellery, textile, paintings, tableware, and furnishings. This is categorised as Gold and Diamonds from Brazil, Coins and Medals of the Crown, Jewels, Orders of Knighthood and Orders of Merit, Royal Insignia, The Crown’s Silver, Private Collections, Diplomatic Gifts, The Royal Chapel, Royal Table, and The Treasure’s Travels.
Every single one of the 1,000+ pieces comprising these collections have undergone meticulous restoration and conservation processes. All 22,000 gemstones – encompassing diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds – were subjected to a gemmological study. Furthermore, a complete catalogue of the collection has been produced and printed, ensuring that every piece is recorded, accounted for, and preserved. Now, it is stored in a permanent exhibition space with three floors that doubles as one of the largest safety deposit boxes in the world: a 775 m² golden safe box protected by two doors that weigh five tonnes each.
Visitors are invited to explore the 11 sections spread across three floors of Museu do Tesouro Real, a contemporary and sophisticated display that blends artefacts with informative media. They are accompanied by a full chronology of the treasure, along with images of the royal family through the ages. These images contextualise the royal palace and the ways in which the treasure was utilised by its monarchs, teaching visitors about anything from the acclamation of D. João VI to the historical and social context of the Bragança Dynasty.
Interestingly, the Portuguese kings and queens since 1640 were not Coronated but instead acclaimed kings and queens. Therefore, in these cases, a crown was not to be worn but to be kept next to the king or queen on top of a pillow. The reason for this is linked to the country’s deeply rooted respect for Mary, mother of Jesus, who holds the permanent status of queen across all of Portugal. Additionally, this fact is just one of the fascinating pieces of information visitors can learn from this dedicated museum.
Museu do Tesouro Real understands that immersion is essential to the complete experience. Its educational services work closely with targeted groups to provide thematic guided tours, theatre-inspired guided tours, workshops, dissertations, colloquiums, history and jewellery courses, and school programmes. Looking ahead, the team is working to establish guided tours for every museum visitor, either through the professional guides of its educational services or through mobile applications for self-guided tours.
As an honorary member of Portugal’s brands of excellence, Museu do Tesouro Real seeks to keep its collection alive whilst contributing to the advancement of artistic and cultural development in Portugal. A shining example of this commitment has been the launch of its jewellery competition, organised in 2025, with dozens of jewellers entering pieces inspired by the collection. This year, the winner of the competition has launched an exclusive jewellery collection for Museu do Tesouro Real.
Ultimately, Museu do Tesouro Real aspires to establish itself as an international reference in museology, a position that has no doubt been earned by the unrivalled variety and rarity of its collection. The museum has played an instrumental role in honouring the legacy of Portugal’s monarchy, meticulously preserving every piece of the Royal Treasury so that it can continue to inform, inspire, and invite visitors from around the world for many years to come. For this exceptional work, we at EU Business News are delighted to recognise Museu do Tesouro Real as the Museum of the Year 2026.
Contact Details
Contact: Nuno Vale, Executive Director
Email: [email protected]
Company: Museu do Tesouro Real
Web Address: www.tesouroreal.pt
