Originally, the Alcântara estate belonged to a wealthy merchant, named João Baptista Revelasco. [1] However, as he was heavily indebted to the royal treasury, the estate was confiscated from him in 1602.[1] King Philip II of Spain and Portugal (1527-1598) decided to construct here a summer lodge, where he could escape from the hustle and bustle at the royal court in the Ribeira Palace.[2] He engaged the architect Teodósio de Frias to design the palace.[2] Although the lodge was modest, the palace was known for its gardens, which were decorated with fountains, waterfalls and statues.[2] Further, the visitors to the gardens could enjoy magnificent views over the Tagus river.[1]
The first Braganza kings John IV (1604-1656), Afonso VI (1643-1683) and Peter II (1648-1706) were very fond of the palace and its gardens.[2] King Afonso VI even changed his residence from the Ribeira Palace to the Alcântara palace.[3]
The palace was heavily damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.[2] It was rebuilt, but it lost its attractiveness.[2] At the end of the eighteenth century, the palace was granted to Francisco José Dias, who set up a textile factory in the buildings.[2] In 1808, when the concession ended, the palace returned to the crown, which decided to use it as free housing for the widows of the Royal Household.[2]
In 1876, due to urban development needs, the royal family decided to sell the estate and its old and ruined palace.[3] The gardens were replaced by new buildings and streets, creating a new neighbourhood, named ‘Bairro do Calvário’.[3] Today, only a part of the royal stables of the royal palace has survived.[2]
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