Portugal: Vila Vicosa – Ducal Palace

The Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa (Paço Ducal de Vila Viçosa) is one of the most impressive royal buildings in Portugal. This was the ancestral seat of the House of Braganza, the noble family that eventually rose to become Portugal’s final ruling royal dynasty from 1640 until the monarchy ended in 1910. Construction began in 1501 and last and expanded over 200 years that followed. Vila Vicosa is awash in marble quarries all around it and the palace is just overloaded and entirely clad in fine white marble. The interior is over the top lavish – royal rooms, bedrooms, chapel, kitchen, dining rooms, and so on. Especially impressive is the Sala do Gigante (Giant’s Room) with painted ceilings and a rare collection of Spanish Talavera de la Reina tiles. The kitchen is insane as well – over 500 polished solid copper pots, pans, and utensils. There is also a lot of art and lux furniture and various lux item collections. You have to go on an organized tour to see this c but it’s well worth, this should be a UNESCO site one day.