Originally on the site of the Palace of Ajuda was a wooden building, built for the Royal family, who decided to move here after the earthquake in 1755. This building was also called "the Royal shack" or "Wooden castle". A fire destroyed it in 1795, and in its place was built a stone Palace.

The building has been constructed under the guidance of architect Manuel Siteno de Souza, who had planned to make it in the style of late Baroque - Rococo. Later the construction was continued by the architects josé da Costa and Francisco Xavier Fabri, but the building was built in the neoclassical style. Construction continued until 1807, and was not finished. The Palace was occupied by the troops of Napoleon and the Royal family was forced to leave Portugal and take refuge in Brazil. Construction continued slowly, sometimes stopped, the appearance of the Palace has varied in view of the fact that at each stage of construction was another architect. In 1826 the Palace again became a Royal residence. In 1910, the Palace was closed after the proclamation of the Republic and opened as a Museum in 1968.

The Museum houses a magnificent collection of works of art, starting from the XV to the XX century. All the rooms are decorated with furniture in the style of Louis XV, tapestries and statues. In the Palace a lot of extravagant decorative art objects. Such an abundance of luxury was the result of unprecedented wealth in the eighteenth century, when for the first time in the Brazilian diamonds were discovered. A stunning Conservatory, a ballroom, a room of the Ambassador, and our Banquet and Throne halls.

Still, the Palace was used by the government of Portugal for hosting official ceremonies.