THE GRÉMIO LITERÁRIO was created in 1846 by royal charter of Queen D. Maria II, thus giving her support to the initiative of a prestigious group of writers, politicians and aristocrats of the Portuguese liberal world. Thirty years later the Grémio settled in its present facilities, the Loures Palace, in the Chiado quarter, the elegant centre of the intellectual and social Lisbon society, a characteristic building in the local romantic architecture, with decorated rooms, a rich library, restaurant and a precious garden dated 1844 overlooking the river Tagus and the Moorish castle. A certain literary and social activity, much in the manner of the fin de siècle and Belle Époque periods, with its cercle, fencing and chess players is remembered in the chronicles and novels of the famous writers of the time, namely Eça de Queirós. The first exhibition under the title Modern Art was held there in 1912. In the middle of the twentieth century a luxurious renovation of the interiors with improvements in the restaurant gave it a new impulse and glamour, hosting and promoting famous lecturers, such as Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1969) and theatre seasons with the Comédie Française. The Centre for the Study of the XIX Century organized conferences and international meetings. More recently regular cultural seasons feature the presentation of writers, concerts and celebrations of a historical and cultural nature. The Medal of Honour of the City of Lisbon was awarded some years ago and, when commemorating its 150th anniversary and the Grémio Literário was confirmed as an “entity of public utility” and bestowed the degree of honorary member of the order of Santiago-da-Espada, thus recognizing its services as “one of the most ancient European associations”. Among its members, past and present, the Grémio boasts many heads of state and prime-ministers. In its international relations, almost one hundred clubs in diferent countries – in Europe, America and other continents – are covered by reciprocal hospitality agreements. By decree no. 206/2018 of May 19, the Palacete de Loures (where Grémio Literário is headquartered), including its garden and integrated tangible and intangible heritage, was classified by the Ministry of Culture as a “monument of public interest". In the same year, Grémio Literário was recognized by the Lisbon City Council, under the terms of law 42/2017, as an entity of local historical and cultural interest. As part of the Commemoration of its 175th anniversary, in 2021, Grémio Literário was appointed an Honorary Member of the Order of Infante D. Henrique, a decoration awarded by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Professor Doctor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. CTT - Correios de Portugal also carried out a Philatelic Issue under the theme “175 Years of the Literary Grémio”, consisting of two stamps, an envelope and a commemorative stamp and the Lisbon City Council awarded the Medal of the City, delivered by its President , Engineer Carlos Moedas. In September 2022, "Rede Sem Fronteiras", a cultural entity that develops and disseminates Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking culture, distinguished Grémio Literário with the "Cultura Sem Fronteiras" Trophy, in the literature category, "for merit and recognition in promoting the enhancement of of Lusophone culture". Also, this year, the Portuguese Academy of Gastronomy distinguished the Literary Grémio, awarding it the Great Prize of the Portuguese Academy of Gastronomy, a distinction that aims to "honor and celebrate entities or people who, with great dignity, have with it decisively collaborated in its primary objective, the defense of heritage and the development of national Cuisine and Gastronomy".