08 April 24

What you should visit instead in… Lisbon (museum edition)

Are you an art lover? We have the right suggestions for you to visit while in Lisbon!
National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo):
The National Tile Museum is dedicated to the art of Portuguese tiles, known as azulejos. Housed in the former convent of Madre de Deus, built in 1509 at the orders of queen Leonor, the museum showcases a vast collection of decorative ceramic tiles dating from the 15th century to the present day, including a wide range of tiles, from historical and religious themes to ornamental and abstract designs. Visitors can explore the evolution of tile-making techniques and styles in Portugal over the centuries.
Notable highlights of the museum include the stunning azulejo panels depicting scenes from Portuguese history, mythological stories, and religious subjects. The museum also features a replica of a typical Portuguese tile-clad interior.
 
National Museum of Ancient Art (Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga):
Since its foundation, the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga has been housed at the palace built in the late 17th century at the behest of the first Count of Alvor, after his return from India, where he had served as Viceroy. The palace remained in the hands of the family until the mid-18th century, when it became the property of a brother of the Marquis of Pombal, Paulo de Carvalho, before becoming the residence of a rich diamond trader, Dutch consul in Portugal, Daniel Gildemeester, who sponsored major improvement work to the building’s interior spaces.
Being a typical example of the Portuguese civil architecture of that period, the palace has a long façade running parallel to the street and a highly simple design with the only decoration being its ornamental baroque doorways. 
Created in 1884, the National Museum of Ancient Art is the home to the most important Portuguese public collection of art, ranging from paintings to sculpture, and gold and silverware, as well as decorative arts from Europe, Africa, and the Far East.
The museum's collection includes paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and other objects representing various artistic movements and periods. Highlights include works by renowned Portuguese artists such as Nuno Gonçalves as well as European masters like Hieronymus Bosch, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Dürer.
 
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum (Museu Calouste Gulbenkian):
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is named after the Armenian oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian, who bequeathed his extensive art collection to the Portuguese state upon his death. The museum features a diverse collection of art spanning 5000 years of history, different cultures, periods, and styles, including Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic, Asian, and European art, as well as decorative arts, textiles, and jewelry. It showcases works by prominent artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet, and René Lalique.
The museum's collection includes ancient artifacts, illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts objects representing various artistic traditions and civilizations. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events.
 
These museums are integral parts of Lisbon's cultural landscape, offering visitors opportunities to explore diverse aspects of art, history, and heritage. Each museum provides a unique perspective on Portugal's cultural identity and artistic legacy.