Museu de Lisboa (Museum of Lisbon)
The Museu de Lisboa (Museum of Lisbon) in northern Lisbon, close to Lisbon University, is the new name for the former Museu de Cidade (City Museum).
History
The Museu de Lisboa is now spread over five locations: the Palácio Pimenta, Santo António, Teatro Romano, Casa dos Bicos and the Torreão Poente (which holds temporary exhibitions).
The Museu de Lisboa is headquartered in the beautiful 18th century Palácio Pimenta and its gardens.
Exhibits
The Palácio Pimenta was built by King John V of Portugal in the mid-18th century for his mistress Paula Teresa da Silva e Almeida, a nun from the Monastery of São Dinis in Odivelas.
The ornate rooms are full of azulejos tile work, ceramics, engravings, fireplaces, furniture, original paintings, prints and maps.
There are exhibits depicting the growth and development of Lisbon from its earliest times to the present day through the prehistoric, Roman, Visigothic, Islamic and medieval periods.
Pride of place is given to a detailed scale model of Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake, which destroyed much of the city.
There are original documents and drawings relating to the construction of the Águas Livres Aqueduct and the piano of Alfredo Keil, composer of the Portuguese national anthem.
The palace also contains the original kitchen with beautiful azulejos tiles depicting plants and animals used in Portuguese cuisine along with period pots and pans.
Outside is a lovely cobbled courtyard giving access to the main garden - part lawn and part ornamental. The garden is home to some wandering peacocks as well as the Pavilhão Preto (Black Pavilion) and the Pavilhão Branco (White Pavilion) which host temporary exhibitions relating to Lisbon as well as Portuguese arts and crafts.
The enclosed Jardim Bordallo Pinheiro, within the main garden, was inaugurated in 2010 and contains large ceramics made from the original molds made by the artist Bordallo Pinheiro (1846-1905) depicting various animals, insects and vegetables. The figures are displayed in and around the ornamental, trimmed hedges to great effect. Look out for the giant wasps and toadstools.
Some of these animals were part of the decoration of the Portuguese Pavilion at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889 while others embellished the Jardim da Estrela in Lisbon.
Access
Museu de Lisboa (museudelisboa.pt)
Campo Grande 245
1700-091 Lisbon
Tel: 21 7513 200
The nearest Lisbon metro stations to the Museu de Lisboa are Campo Grande or Cidade Universitária; Alternatively take any of Lisbon buses: #701, #717, #731, #735, #736, #738, #747, #750, #755, #767, #778, #783, #796, #798 to Campo Grande bus station.
Hours: From Tuesday to Sunday 10 am - 6 pm (Last entry 5.30 pm)
Closed on Monday and on May 1, December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1.
Admission: €3.00. Entrance is free with a Lisboa Card. Reductions apply for holders of Cartão Jovem, students and visitors over 65. Free entry to the museum on Sundays before 1pm and on May 18 (International Museum Day).
Nearby
The Museu de Lisboa is close to the Museu Bordalo Pinheiro, the University of Lisbon Alameda Campus, the National Library of Portugal (Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal), The National Archive of Torre do Tombo (Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo) and Estádio José Alvalade.
Several hotels are also within close proximity. Recommended in this area of Lisbon are are the four-star VIP Executive Entrecampos Hotel & Conference, the Hotel NH Lisboa Campo Grande, and the Le Jardin guest house. The Radisson Blu is an upmarket but reasonably-priced accommodation near Campo Grande.
The four-star Lisbon Marriott Hotel along with the SANA Metropolitan Hotel are also top end hotels.
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