Seventeen presidents have governed Portugal since the Republic was established in 1910 (after the assassination of King Dom Carlos and his heir in 1908). That makes for more than 2,000 pieces on exhibit that include personal possessions, state gifts, and plenty of paperwork. Films depict the three phases of the Republic: the first republic, Estado Novo (the dictatorship), and democracy after the 1974 armed forces revolution. Another room presents a 14-minute virtual reality tour of the Belém Presidential Palace accompanied by a narrated history. Glass cases exhibit objects that belonged to the presidents, including the agenda of Americo Tomás, the puppet president during the dictatorship, and the sword of President Francisco da Costa Gomes, elected after the revolution. The mezzanine displays medals awarded by the presidents.
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