São Bento Palace

The Palácio de São Bento ( German Palace of St. Benedict ) is located in the municipality of Estrela in Lisbon in Portugal.

The Palace of St. Benedict is since 1834 the seat of the Portuguese Parliament ( Assembleia da República ). In the rear part of the building is the seat of the Prime Minister. Access is via a wide exterior stairs to the palace. Built in 1941 staircase is flanked on both sides by marble lions. At the main entrance below the neoclassical pillars front are four allegorical female statues symbolizing the virtues of moderation, justice, strength and reason. The six-meter high and 30 meter long gable above the porch was decorated by the sculptor Simões de Almeida.

The building was at first a Benedictine monastery. It was built in 1598. The Benedictine monks lived until 1820 in the monastery. During the great earthquake in 1755, the building was damaged. 1834 pulled the Parliament in the building. The palace, which also officially Palacio das Cortes (1834-1911), Palácio do Congresso (1911-1933) and Palácio da Assembleia Nacional was (1933-1974) called to say, today Palácio de São Bento.