Here is the front of the building from the base of its steps:
This is a close up of the frieze located above the entrance. The Latin inscripton reads "Omnia Pro Patria". Also, the Portuguese flag was cooperating and can be seen here in full flutter.
These two ceremonial guards were stationed on either side of the main entrance door. You can barely see them standing there in the first photo. They aren't like the British variety, in that they were allowed to move and talk to each other. Other than these two, however, there was absolutely no visible police or military presence around this building. Not a single cop or suspicious looking guy in a leather coat to be seen.
On either side of the large stairway up to the building were large statues of two lions. I noted that this one seemed to have a graffiti tear drop added to it, probably during one of the semi-frequent protests that occurs here.
The next four pictures show four large statues that sat at the building's entrance, between the doors.
This was taken halfway up the stairs, looking back outwards towards the neighborhood. Nothing special here, just a typical Lisbon cityscape.
Now, if you walk past the Palácio on its left, and then turn right on Rua da Imprensa a Estrela, you come to #4. What is special about this building? This is the Prime Minister's residence.
Again, this is where the Prime Minister of Portugal, the chief executive of the country, lives. And we are standing mere inches away from his front door. I think they have a bit of a lighter attitude towards security in Lisbon than we are used to as Americans, no? Here is Liz, ringing the Prime Minister's doorbell (not really).
Proof, in case you don't believe me:
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