Over the years, the Belem Palace has served as the official residence of the Portuguese monarchy and now as the residence of the President of the Republic. The current five buildings making up the main facade date to the second half of the 17th century. Back in 1559, D. Manuel, son of the first Count of Vimioso, bought the property and named it "Quinta de Belem." One hundred years later it had become part of the Portuguese Royal Court, later transferred to the Counts of Aveiras, and then became a convent. By 1726, King John V acquired the property and turned it into a Royal summer home. The palace was one of the few structures that suffered only minor damage from the 1755 earthquake. Between 1807 and 1839, the complex lay unused and mostly abandoned; then it was reopened as a temporary residence for visiting royals. In 1904, the palace's training stables were separated from the complex, to become, later on, the National Coach Musem. By the fall of that year, the palace was no longer used as a Royal residence; becoming instead a residence for visiting Heads of State. Following the 1910 Revolution, it became the home for the Secretary General of the Presidency and then for the President of the Republic. Part of the palace now houses the "Presidency Museum" which tells the story of the Portuguese Republic and its Presidents. It also includes exhibits of official gifts to Portugal from visiting Heads of State.
Presented by Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestine Authority, this piece of art was given to Portugal in 2000. It is described as made from olive tree wood and mother of pearl.
This 6th-5th century B.C. terra-cotta vase was given by President Constantine Karamanlis of Greece in 1981.