The Palace of Queluz-a brief a Scarcely Accurate Account

In 1747, some guy in Portugal (maybe the King) decided to build this palace and he took his family to live there.  Our guide described them as 'The Uglies' and certainly the pictures of them, leave quite a bit to be desired.  She told us that the Queen looked different in every single painting of her because the artist had to find some feature to focus on because he couldn't really paint what he saw, or he would never get any other commissions from the royal family!!!

As was the custom of the time, royalty married royalty, so some of the children were more fortunate in their choice of partners, but in all the paintings, there is certainly.... a family resemblance.

 I stopped taking photos after a while because ...well, they just weren't photo worthy.  This lady actually looks quite a bit like Freda Carlo, only more cranky.

This guy looks to me like he has been in the bottom of a scrum and either lost some teeth or simple ate some socks after the game!

Imagine being known for all eternity as 'The Uglies!!!???'

In fairness, I have not done the building justice.  It is remarkable and elaborate and every single surface has a mural on it, including the ceilings.  In one of the rooms, the Prince had a fascination with Don Quixote, so all the panels in the room have images from the story.

The outside gardens are once again amazing and so beautifully kept, with fountains and sculptures making is a tapestry of art.  It is inspiring!!!

Get ready for me to come home with all these ideas, Ian!!!!