Portuguese Embassy

This blue plaque commemorates the historic location of the Portuguese Embassy in London between 1724 and 1747. It also highlights the residence of the Marquess of Pombal, a significant Portuguese statesman, who served as ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1739 to 1744 during the embassy's time at this address. The plaque thus marks a site of sustained diplomatic presence and also the dwelling of a key historical figure involved in Anglo-Portuguese relations during the mid-18th century.

The period between 1724 and 1747 was one of significant diplomatic activity across Europe, with embassies serving as crucial centres for international relations, trade, and cultural exchange. Located in the heart of Westminster, this embassy would have been at the nexus of London's political and social life. The presence of the Marquess of Pombal here further underscores the importance of this mission, as he would later become a pivotal figure in Portugal's Enlightenment era reforms, modernising the state and its economy. The placement of such blue plaques continues a tradition of marking historically significant buildings and their associations within the urban landscape.

The memorial is a blue plaque located at 23-24 Golden Square in Westminster, London, W1. Visitors can find it affixed to the exterior of the building, which is accessible from the public square. Golden Square is a historic area, and the plaque can be viewed from the pavement, offering an opportunity to reflect on London’s diplomatic past within a prominent and well-known part of the city.