THE PATIO DOS BICHOS: A LEISURE AREA FOR THE PORTUGUESE COURT OF THE XVIII CENTURY

Abstract

This text aims to problematize the presence and the meaning of exotic animals in the Portuguese court of the XVIII century. Although the kingdom received animals from other continents since the fifteenth century, it was only in the seventies that a ménagerie, called Pátio dos Bichos, was created in the palace of Belém, a specific space of leisure and ostentation for the royal house and the court. The management of this private zoo is known through documentation relating especially to the entrance of animals and expenses, but also by the writings of foreigners who visited the gardens of the palace and the farm of Belém.

Keywords

• animais
• corte portuguesa
• jardim zoológico
• lazer, pátio dos bichos