Museum of the Presidency of the Republic – Gifts from the Nations (Europe)

How do countries say that they care, and respect one another? A thoughtful gift exchanged between world leaders could reflect just that.

Here were some of the state gifts gifted to Portugal during the different states visit, arranged in alphabetical order of the gifting country, from countries in Europe.

Austria – Table Clock

Peter Rau. Austria, 1830. Gilded carved wood, enamel and copper

Gift from President Rudolf Kirchschläger to President António Ramalho Eanes. State visit to Austria, 1982

Bulgaria – Cup Of Panagyurishte

Replica of a 4th century B.C. piece. Bulgaria, undated. Gilded bronze

Gift from the Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev of Bulgaria to President Aníbal Cavaco Silva. Visit to Portugal, 2007

Germany – Hunting Scene

Nymphenburg Porcelain Factory. Munich (Federal Republic of Germany), undated. Porcelain

Gift from President Karl Carstens of the Federal Republic of Germany to President António Ramalho Eanes. State visit to Portugal, 1980

Greece – Mycenaean Cup

Replica of a 12th century B.C. piece. Greece, undated. Gold

Gift from the Prime Minister Alexander Papagos of Greece to President Francisco Craveiro Lopes. Visit to Portugal, 1954

Greece – Lekitos

Attica (Greece), 6th-5th century B.C. Terracotta.

Gift from President Constantine Karamanlis of Greece to President António Ramalho Eanes. State visit to Portugal, 1981

Greece – Pair Of Pistols

Greece, 18th century. Sterling silver, guilded sterling silver and steel

Gift from President Constantine Karamanlis to President António Ramalho Eanes. State visit to Greece, 1983

Greece – Peace Cups

Ilias Lalaounis. Greece, undated. Sterling silver

Gift from President Constantine Stephanopoulos of Greece to President Jorge Sampaio. State visit to Portugal, 1999

Holy See – Pope John Paul Il commemorative medals

Production unknown. Vatican, 1980. Gold, sterling silver and bronze

Gift from Pope John Paul II to President António Ramalho Eanes. State visit to Portugal, 1982.

Holy See – Ricerca Cio Che Unisce – Supera Cio’ Que Divide

Fusco. Vatican, 2016. Bronze

Gift from Pope Francis to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. State visit to the Vatican, 2016

The inscription on the medallion says “Research What Unites – Surpasses What Divides”.

Macedonia – Trebenista’s Mask

Replica of a 5th century b.C. piece. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, undated. Gold

Gift from President Boris Trajkovski of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to President Jorge Sampaio. Visit to Portugal, 2004

Norway – Bowl

David Anderson Company. Norway, undated. Sterling silver and enamel

Gift from King Olav V of Norway to President António Ramalho Eanes. State visit to Portugal, 1978

Romania – Icon Exaltation Of The Cross

Romania, 18th century. Oil on wood

Gift from President Emil Constantinescu to President Jorge Sampaio, State visit to Romania, 2000

Spain – D. Quixote And Sancho Panza

Sargadelos. Spain, undated. Porcelain

Gift from King Felipe VI of Spain to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. State visit to Spain, 2016

Sweden – Vase

Ulrica Hydman-Vallien (designer). Kosta Boda (manufacturer). Sweden, undated. Glass

Gift from King Charles XVI Gustav of Sweden to President Aníbal Cavaco Silva. State visit to Sweden, 2013

United Kingdom – Unicorn

Walenty Pytel. England, undated. Steel

Gift from Princess Ann of England to President António Ramalho Eanes. Visit to Portugal, 1979

United Kingdom – Pair Of Swords

Bennett and Son – Royal Exchange. England, 18th century. Steel, sterling silver and leather

Gift from Queen Elizabeth II of England to President António Ramalho Eanes. State visit to Portugal, 1985

Yugoslavia – Wounded Load

Autun Augustincic. Yugoslavia, undated.Bronze

Gift from President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia to President Francisco da Costa Gomes. State visit to Portugal, 1976

About the Museum of the Presidency of the Republic

Meet the Presidents of the Republic and their official residence, the Palace of Belém. Museu da Presidência da República (MPR), as it is called in Portuguese, is housed in the Palácio de Belém’s old coach house.

The history of the development of the republic in Portugal is detailed in chronological order. With oil portraits, personal items and various documents illustrating the history and career of each of the presidents of the Portuguese republic, the museum presents all of the heads of state that have marked the country’s 20th century.

Permanent Exhibitions at the MPR

• Implementation of the Republic and National Symbols
• The Republic and its Presidents and Portrait Gallery
• State Visits and Gifts
• Powers of the President of the Republic
• Honorary Orders
• Belém Palace

Operating Hours

• Tuesday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Access is only allowed up to 30 minutes before closing.
• Closed every Monday, New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, May 1st and Christmas

Museu da Presidencia da Republica
Palacio Nacional de Belem 1349-022, Lisbon, Portugal
Tel : +351 21 361 4660

Visited Aug 2023

@museupr