Lisbon City Museum

The Museu da Cidade in Lisbon, now known as the Museu de Lisboa, is a culturally significant institution that tells the millennia-old history of the Portuguese capital. Founded in 1909 with the ambition of documenting and celebrating the historical and cultural richness of the city, the museum has undergone numerous transformations and expansions over the years. Currently, the Museu de Lisboa is divided into five main locations: Palácio Pimenta, Teatro Romano, Museu de Santo António, Casa dos Bicos, and Torreão Poente. Each location offers a unique perspective on the history and culture of Lisbon, allowing visitors to explore various aspects of city life through the centuries. Palácio Pimenta, located in the Campo Grande district, is the main headquarters of the museum. This splendid Baroque building was constructed in the 18th century by King John V and originally intended for Paula Teresa da Silva e Almeida, a noblewoman and nun from the Monastery of São Dinis. The palace, surrounded by lush gardens and enriched with frescoes, azulejos, and period furnishings, houses a vast collection of artworks, historical documents, and artifacts that illustrate the history of Lisbon from its prehistoric origins to the present. One of the main attractions of Palácio Pimenta is the scale model of Lisbon before the devastating earthquake of 1755, which destroyed much of the city. This model provides a detailed view of the topography and architecture of 18th-century Lisbon, allowing visitors to better understand the impact of the natural disaster and the subsequent reconstruction of the city. Additionally, the palace displays a series of documents and drawings related to the construction of the Aqueduct of the Free Waters, one of the largest hydraulic engineering works of the 18th century. Another important location of the Museu de Lisboa is the Teatro Romano, located in the heart of the historic center. Discovered in 1798, this ancient theater dates back to the 1st century AD and is one of the most significant testimonies of Roman presence in Lisbon. The museum of the theater offers a fascinating overview of daily life in ancient Olisipo, with exhibitions of archaeological artifacts, mosaics, and statues that illustrate Roman art and culture. The Museu de Santo António, dedicated to the patron saint of Lisbon, is located near the Church of Santo António, built on the site of the saint’s birth in the 12th century. This museum tells the life and miracles of Saint Anthony through a collection of sacred art, relics, and manuscripts. Popular devotion to Saint Anthony is a central theme, with exhibitions exploring the traditions and celebrations related to the saint, still deeply felt by the people of Lisbon today. Casa dos Bicos, with its characteristic diamond-shaped facade, is another fascinating place in the Museu de Lisboa. This 16th-century building, built for Brás de Albuquerque, son of the explorer Afonso de Albuquerque, is a remarkable example of Portuguese Renaissance architecture. Today it houses the Centro de Documentação and the José Saramago Foundation, dedicated to the famous Portuguese writer and Nobel Prize winner for Literature. Casa dos Bicos offers a rich program of temporary exhibitions, conferences, and cultural events, contributing to keeping alive the historical and literary memory of the city. Finally, Torreão Poente, located on Praça do Comércio, is dedicated to temporary exhibitions exploring themes related to the history and culture of Lisbon. This flexible exhibition space allows the Museu de Lisboa to remain dynamic and up-to-date, offering visitors new perspectives and insights into various aspects of city life.