Parques de Sintra restores monument to Queen Maria I at the National Palace of Queluz

At National Palace of Queluz, Parques de Sintra is carrying out conservation and restoration works on the Monument to Queen Maria I, one of the most prominent sculptural features of this monumental complex. In line with the company’s mission, the project aims to safeguard and enhance this heritage asset, ensuring the preservation of its material, artistic and historical integrity for future generations.

The intervention encompasses all the elements that make up the monument, namely the sculptures, plinths, steps and decorative components made of metal alloy. It includes surface cleaning, as well as the conservation and restoration measures required to address the identified deterioration, stabilise the materials, and restore the visual coherence and aesthetic unity of the ensemble. In terms of restoration, particular emphasis is placed on the volumetric reconstruction of the missing fingers on the sculpted figures, using stone with characteristics identical to those of the original.

The Monument to Queen Maria I, created by sculptor João José Aguiar, was commissioned by Intendant Pina Manique in 1794 through Giovanni Gherardo de Rossi, an Italian poet and playwright who directed the Portuguese Academy in Rome. Executed in Italy, the work was originally intended for the square in front of the Estrela Basilica in Lisbon, but was installed in the Largo do Palácio de Queluz in the twentieth century. 

The sculptural ensemble pays tribute to Queen Maria I, with references to the main achievements that marked her reign: the Estrela Basilica, Casa Pia and the Naval Academy. The statue of the queen is surrounded by four statues representing the four continents – Europe, Asia, Africa and America – symbolising the monarch’s vast empire, whose life became closely associated with Queluz Palace.

The intervention represents an investment of approximately €32,000 and is scheduled for completion in October 2026.