In 1755, an earthquake destroyed much of the royal heritage; more than 270 years later, the Royal Treasury Museum showcases the jewels of its reconstruction

When the 1755 earthquake destroyed much of Lisbon, not even the Portuguese Crown Treasury was spared, and a significant portion of the royal heritage was lost.

More than 270 years later, the Royal Treasury Museum—which has the most incredible vault we’ve ever entered—tells the story of what happened next and how the monarchy rebuilt its collection.

In November, this story takes on various forms through a special tour, which we’ll tell you about right now.

The special guided tour “The Lisbon Earthquake and the Royal Treasury” begins on November 1. After the disaster, King José I moved the royal residence to Ajuda, which marked a new chapter in the history of the Crown’s heritage.

This tour takes you past the jewels on display in the museum’s third section and the Germain Tableware in the tenth, showing how the Treasury has transformed. Some of the pieces on display today help tell the story of that reconstruction.

Not all royal treasures were large in size. The lecture and tour “Pocket Treasures,” scheduled for November 7, takes participants to 18th-century Paris, where snuff boxes, cases, and other luxury items revealed tastes, fashions, social status, and even diplomatic relations.

André Afonso leads the session, starting with King José I’s snuff box, one of the museum’s most iconic pieces. Along the way, visitors will learn about goldsmithing techniques, painted enamels, and names such as Jean Ducrollay, Fabergé, and Cartier, with references to the Gulbenkian Collection and other international collections.

On November 28, “White Night” opens the museum outside its usual hours, featuring a nighttime tour of the collection and a concert by the Carreiro-Williams Guitar Duo. José Carlos Carreiro and Torrin Williams will present a chamber music program among the historical artifacts.

The month ends in the Christmas spirit. On November 29, the “Jewelry for the Christmas Tree” workshop invites families to discover how Christmas was celebrated at the Portuguese court.

Was there a tree? Who decorated it? The answers involve King Ferdinand II, who would decorate the tree with his children on Christmas Eve. After touring the collection, children and adults create their own ornaments to decorate the tree at home.