Pousada de Dona Maria, Queluz
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The Pousada de Dona Maria pousada[›] is a large building at Queluz in Portugal. It is the focal point of a complex of buildings within the precincts of the Queluz Palace. The edifice is Baroque in design with an ecclesiastical appearance due to its five stage bell tower surmounted by floral finials. [1] In age it is contemporary with the palace dating from the mid eighteenth century. The tower is visible from many parts of the palace and from certain vantage points appears to be part of the palace itself.
The building, which is such a dominant feature of the town square onto which the cour d'honneur of the palace opens, has one wing which is curved to match the scrolled walls of the palace forming the cour d'honneur. The pousada was originally intended to house royal servants and the Royal Guard when the Portuguese royal court was in in residence at Queluz. [2] [3]
Today the building is a hotel named after Maria I of Portugal whose husband Pedro III built the Queluz Palace. [4]
[edit] Notes
^ pousada: The Portuguese word "Pousada" translates to the English equivalent of an Inn
- ^ Dynes, p.182
- ^ Lowndes, p. 175. Mentions only the building lodging servants.
- ^ Pousada de Queluz. Claims the building housed the Royal Guard, with no mention of servants.
- ^ Pousada de Queluz
[edit] References
- Dynes, Wayne (1968). Palaces of Europe. London: Paul Hamlyn. ISBN.
- Lowndes, Susan (1969). Great Palaces (Queluz. Pages 174–186) edited by Sacheveral Sitwell. London: Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd. ISBN 0600 01682 X.
- Pousada de Queluz Published by Virtual Portugal. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
