Also known as the Casa Real do Campo de Belém (Royal Home of the Belém Field) the palace was purchased by D. João V from the Count of Aveiras in 1726 as a summer home. This is where the royal family could be found on that fateful day in 1755 when the earthquake struck. Far away from the medieval city centre of the 1500s, the monarch and his family came out unscathed, if slightly frightened. The building also escaped any major damage. In 1770, the place underwent some repairs under the supervision of the architect Mateus de Oliveira. During that time a nursery for birds was built as well as horse ring. D. Maria II and D. Fernarndo lived here for a period of time while construction took place at the Palácio das Necessidades. Years later, the future king D. Carlos would also inhabit the palace along with his wife the princess Amélia of Orleãs, until the death of King D. Luís. After the republic, the palace became the official residency of the President of the Republic.

The gardens and rooms in the palace are open to the public on Saturday mornings.