Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida
The Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida is the former Parisian-style, art-nouveau mansion of businessman António Medeiros e Almeida (1895-1996), who made his money importing British cars to Portugal in the 1930's and later in aviation and the sugar industry in his native Azores.
History
After dropping out of a course in medicine at the University of Coimbra in 1919, Medeiros e Almeida studied business in Germany before returning to Portugal in 1924. After some trial and error Medeiros e Almeida became a successful entrepreneur and one of Portugal's richest men, especially after he was able to persuade British car manufacturers to produce a sturdier model more suited to Portugal's roads at the time.
Medeiros e Almeida acquired the house, off the Avenida da Liberdade, in 1943 and used his wealth to purchase the collection in auction houses all over Europe.
Exhibits
The superb, eclectic collection of around 2,000 pieces displayed in the house consists of Chinese Qing porcelain, paintings by Thomas Gainsborough, azulejos tiles, a Portuguese silver tea and coffee service used by Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile, European silk fans, luxury silverware, snuff boxes, Flemish tapestries, furniture and an incredible collection of clocks, watches and other timepieces.
The original mansion is kept very much as it was when inhabited by Medeiros e Almeida and his family, including Medeiros e Almeida's fitness machines in the bathroom. The dining room is set as it was for a celebrated dinner with fado diva Amália Rodrigues.
A new wing built over the garden, designed by architect Alberto Cruz, in the 1970's houses the main body of his collection.
Medeiros e Almeida created a foundation to save his collection and house for the nation and the museum at the site opened in 2001.
The exhibits are displayed with explanations in Portuguese, English and other languages. A video in the foyer introduces the man and his life.
Access
Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida (www.casa-museumedeirosealmeida.pt)
Rua Rosa Araújo, 41
Lisbon 1250-194
Tel: 351 21 354 7892
Hours: Monday to Friday: 1 pm-5.30 pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; closed Sundays and some national holidays including May 1, Christmas and New Year
Admission: 5 Euros, Saturday 10 am-1 pm free, over 65's and under 18's also free.
Flash photography is prohibited within the museum.
The nearest Lisbon metro stations are Marquês de Pombal, Avenida or Rato.
Alternatively take a Lisbon bus any of numbers: 706, 709, 744 ,720, 727, 738 or the AeroBus from Lisbon Airport to Pombal.
