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Museums in Lisbon You Need to Visit!

December 18, 2020 by John Gentry Leave a Comment

Lisbon is the jewel of Portugal. This capital city is one of the largest and most frequently visited cities in Southern Europe. “Lovely Lisbon” is famous for its amazing scenery, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine. Lisbon is also famous for its striking white and red architecture, hence why people call Lisbon the “White City.” There are many things to do in Lisbon.

But there’s so much more to Lisbon than what you’ll see at first glance. The White City has been around for centuries, which means that it has centuries of history that’s just waiting to be explored. You can learn a lot of that history from speaking with Lisbon’s citizens, and by stopping by the city’s museums.

We’re going to travel through time today! Pack your bags and strap on your good walking shoes, because we’re about to go museum hopping in Lisbon. We’ll stop by some of the city’s most popular venues as well as a few museums that are a bit more exclusive. This trip is going to take us all around Lisbon. Before you embark on this journey, you might want to store your extra luggage somewhere safe.

The National Museum of Contemporary Art

The National Museum of Contemporary Art (or “Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea do Chiado” in Portuguese) is the first destination on our museum hopping adventure. This museum houses thousands of contemporary art pieces from all around Portugal. We’re talking paintings, sculptures, still photographs – MNAC has art pieces from every medium that you could think of, and some that you might not even know about.

MNAC first opened in 1911. Its construction was paid for by funds from an 1850 project that didn’t come to fruition. MNAC proved to be very popular with citizens almost immediately. In 1994, renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte was commissioned to redesign the museum. What you see now is the fruit of Wilmotte’s efforts, as well as the builders who diligently helped him renovate the museum.

More than a century after MNAC first opened, it’s still one of the most popular museums in Lisbon. MNAC is a great place to learn about esteemed Portuguese contemporary artists like Carla Filipe and Pedro Cabrita Reis. It’s also located near our next stop.

Carmo Archaeological Museum

The next stop on our museum hopping extravaganza is actually a destination within a destination. The Carmo Convent was once a significant Catholic convent until an earthquake damaged it in 1755. Our destination, the Carmo Archaeological Museum, is located within the remains of the Carmo Church. The Carmo Archaeological Museum is a marvel of Medieval architecture. For context, construction first began on this building in 1389!

Very few modern touches have been added to the museum. The goal is to preserve this site’s authenticity by leaving it in its post-earthquake state. Seriously, visiting the Carmo Archaeological Museum is like using a time machine! After you finish admiring this amazing venue, you won’t be far from our next stop.

MUDE

The Carmo Archaeological Museum gives us a great look at the past. However, the Museum of Design and Fashion (or MUDE for short) grounds us back in the here and now. This venue is a hub for all things fashion and design, stretching back from the 19th century to modern-day trends. They’ve got outfits and art pieces galore! There are also several spaces dedicated to famous Portuguese architects.

One of the craziest things about MUDE is that this museum used to be a bank. At one point in time, Lisbon’s citizens felt the need to commemorate their city’s artists and designers. They repurposed the bank into one of the White City’s most culturally important spaces for the arts and design. MUDE is without a doubt one of the most cherished museums in Portugal, let alone Lisbon.

It’s worth noting that MUDE goes by another name – Change. You might bump into quite a few folks who use that name over MUDE. One thing’s guaranteed though; you’ll be absolutely inspired by the time you’ve finished visiting this place.

Museum of Aljube Resistance and Freedom

It’s been said that what’s done in the dark will eventually come out in the light. The Museum of Aljube Resistance and Freedom is dedicated to shining a light on the tyranny that countless experienced from 1926 to 1974. For those who don’t know, many Portuguese citizens were oppressed by two major authoritarian regimes in the 20th century – Ditadura Nacional and Estado Novo.

The mission of the Museum of Aljube Resistance and Freedom is to ensure that the crimes of those regimes are brought to light. The exhibits at this venue can be very harrowing. However, everything that’s on display here is done so with a purpose. As long as the Aljube Museum is around, the voices of the oppressed can never be suppressed. We encourage you to visit their website to learn more about the Museu do Aljube. Whenever you’re ready, we can move on to the very last stop on our museum hopping experience.

Museu do Fado

Anyone who’s remotely familiar with Lisbon’s museum scene probably expected to visit this venue at one point or another. Well, surprise! Museu do Fado is the very last stop of our museum hopping tour of Lisbon. How could it not be — the Museu do Fado is one of the most popular museums in the city. This place is dedicated to preserving and promoting Fado, a genre of music that’s integral to Portugal and Lisbon’s culture.

If you’ve never heard Fado music before, you’ll be in for a treat. You see, the Museu do Fado isn’t just a museum – it’s also a live concert venue! Artists play at the museum all the time. Moreover, you can also sign up for Fado singing classes. Visual arts are also a core part of the Fado experience. You can look forward to seeing all kinds of amazon art pieces here. Stop by the Museu do Fado’s website to see what’s in store.

Sources

http://museuartecontemporanea.gov.pt/en

https://www.museuarqueologicodocarmo.pt/info_en.html

https://www.mude.pt/

https://www.museudoaljube.pt/en/

https://www.museudofado.pt/

Things To Do In Lisbon

February 17, 2020 by John J Gentry 3 Comments

Ponte 25 De Abril Bridge Lisbon Portugal

The 25 de Abril Bridge in the capital city of Lisbon Portugal is the longest suspension connect in Europe.

Places to visit in Lisbon today and during your next visit.

Exploring Lisbon Portugal

Things To Do In Lisbon – Exploring Lisbon and the surrounding areas can bring a lot of enjoyment. It is getting off the beaten path, and looking into the shops where only locals go that really brings the concept of an old city to life. Having a glass of wine and some cheese out under the sun on a cool afternoon can be exciting, or taking a stroll along the streets while looking at something new. Lisbon can bring you to the past and future, all at the same time. With its community culture of friendliness and good food along each street, the possibilities are endless. You will have a great time exploring Lisbon, no matter the season.

There are several great spots around the city where the views are magnificent, and where you can see whole areas of the city, even the whole city if you are high enough. It’s important for us to try and see the details of a monument or to view the details of the rooftops. Since architecture is built with real hands and hard work, we look toward the emotion of life within each image and try to tell a story.

City Views

This view give’s us a tremendous amount of detail of both the old and the new. Notice the different styles of tile used for the roofs of the different homes, and the elaborate terraces found both on the rooftops and on the sides of the buildings. These rooftop terraces with the cool climate and peaceful mood of the city provide good ambiance and some amazing views. The light in Lisbon always seems to be perfect for these spectacular terraces found on many homes, restaurants, and bars. Enjoying the high and lofty terraces that are a way of life in Lisbon.

The City center of Lisbon has a mixture of old and new, and you will find very old architecture built within the city. Lisbon’s long history can be told in its architecture. The city dates back to the time of the Romans and the Moors. It has been a Christian Monarchy, a busy republic, and a complete dictatorship. In our time, it is the fascinating capital city of Portugal, where history is living and mingles with the present.

Transportation around the city can be arranged in many different ways, and you can choose what fits your own style. Lisbon has excellent subways, trams, trains, buses, and taxis. If you happen to buy a Lisboa Pass, all public transportation is free, including the underground Metro Train System.

The artwork of this woman carved within this monument in the city center helps tell the story of the people of Lisbon. These unique and detailed statues give us a glimpse into a different time, providing a bridge for the known historical events and the culture of a time past.

Notice the building sitting within the area of someones home here. Every day this family awakes to be within the old compound of antiquities. Maybe they understand what and where it is or maybe they don’t, but life continues, and new structures mix with the old.

Unique food abounds in Lisbon, and this fish dish with a different form of potato chip than what most are used too is delicious. Cod is often the fish used in making these fish dishes, though Cord fish is also used. This fresh Cod is especially good cooked with the local olive oil and a special local type of potato chip. This is authentic Portuguese cooking at it’s finest!

A City Of Religion

On the other side of the city is one of two Christ the Redeemer Monuments in the world. This one was built after the one in Brazil was completed. The monument was completed in 1931 and stands 98 feet tall. The monument shows the faith of the city, as the arms embrace and protect the harbor and the peoples of this great city. These arms have a span of 92 feet across and further embrace the faithful of the whole city. If you have time you can take an elevator and see the whole city of Lisbon on top. It’s a wonderful view, and well worth the time it takes to get there.

Religion is a part of the human experience, and the Cathedral of Maria helps tell that story. Each edge of the building, the beautiful paintings, the awesome mosaics, and each person who lives around it give us a glimpse of the past within its walls and structure.

Art within these churches tells us the ideas, and importance this area had to the people during a different time, and why others of faith flock to its walls to pray.

The candles of prayer represent the people’s thoughts, hope, and dreams being lifted up to their creator.

The ancient old halls, and grotto’s hold those of the past within their caskets along each niche within its walls. The nitches are filled with the Saints of Old, their wisdom echoing through the halls.

At the center of this church lies this ongoing excavation of past life that once lived here hundreds of years ago before the cathedral ever existed. As relics are discovered, and ancient rooms uncovered, the past is pieced together one brick at a time.

Lisbon Tower or Torre Belem is a site to be seen, with it’s spectacularly carved balconies and magnificent turrets. This once critical tower was the first line of protection as the ships began coming into the area of the city. What once was an island, now sits alone by the monument of the unknown soldier.

Places To Visit In Lisbon

The Adventure Continues

The Many Faces Of Lisbon Portugal

Vinho do Porto Wine From The Remote Vineyards Of The Douro Valley In Portugal

A City With Ancient Architecture

Way up in Northeastern Portugal there is a region famous for its amazing wines. The upper Douro Valley has an amazing history in the production of Wine. Winemaking goes all the back to ancient time on the Iberian Peninsula, though it was not till after the middle part of the 17th Century that the Douro Valley came to produce what we know as Port Wine. In the year of 1386, the Valley began to be well known for it classic wines.

The triumphal stone Arch of the Arco da Rua Augusta in Lisbon Portugal

The Rua Augusta is built like a triumphal arch which connects two sides of a historical building in Lisbon on the Praça do Comércio. This spectacular arch commemorates the rebuilding of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake and is adorned with many statues of famous and historical people. At the top of the arch is a coat of arms that represents glory, valor, and genius. Originally, the building included a bell tower that was redesigned as this magnificent arch a century later. Like so many of the buildings in Lisbon, the architecture is exquisite.

Cycling Around Portugal Is A Unique Experience

Portugal is amazingly rich in culture, history and tasty Portuguese food. There are many small amazing local cafes with some of the most astonishing food in all of Europe. These small cafes and shops add many choices to the many things to do in Lisbon. One of the amazing experiences you can do in Lisbon is to join the locals in cycling around the city. For the locals, it is a way of life, and for the visitor, it gives you the opportunity to really see and get a genuine feel for this amazing city that spans several centuries of spectacular history. When you bike or walk, you can easily spot all the local shops and cafes that make a perfect day even better. Discovering the ancient history of the past, and the local businesses of today, are a special treat of the bicycle culture.

A Street Artist And His Canvas In Lisbon

There are some amazing street artists in Lisbon. Street art is encouraged and was made a part of the city’s urban renewal project. Lisbon is well known as a center for urban art. A simple walk through the center of the city, or almost any historic neighborhood, will delight the visitor with many street art exhibits. Because of this, as well as their very colorful buildings, Lisbon has become the most colorful city in Europe.

Statue Of King Jose I In Praca do Comercio

This is a bronze statue commemorating the inauguration Of King Jose I in 1775 in Praca do Comercio. The square is the greatest square in all of Portugal with buildings lining three sides. All the buildings are painted according to the original plans. Notice the snakes that are being symbolically crushed with the hoofs of King Jose’s horse.

The Top Of The Praça do Comércio Triumphal Arch In Rua Augusta Lisbon Portugal

You can see the coat of arms for Portugal. The figures at the top represent glory, that follows valor and genius. A time when Portugal ruled well beyond its borders. They were known for the conquest of people deemed below them. They took advantage of any weakness, and again there is a good view of the snakes being crushed under the power of the kingdom.

One Of The Statues At The Praca do Comercio In Lisbon Portugal

Monastery Of São Vicente de Fora On The Top Of The Romantic Hills Of Lisbon

The Monastery of São Vicente de Fora means “Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls.” This is a monastery and church from the 17th-century and is of extreme importance in Portugal even today. Today, the original cistern is still standing, as well as the cloisters. The cloisters have the original tiles from the 18th century. There is one collection of tiles that depict the many stories and fables of Jean de LaFontaine. A trip to the rooftop will render a fabulous view over the Tagus River and the city of Lisbon.

Love Locks In Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

This is the highest and most romantic lookout point over Lisbon and allows you to see for miles across the city. It is well known for its panoramic views of the city and it’s one of a kind sunsets.

View of Almada On The Southern Tagus River

The site of an ancient trade route used by the Phoenicians, Romans, and Moors in Portugal.

Places to see in Lisbon while exploring the city.

São Jorge Castle Is A Moorish Castle

The castle overlooks the historic center of the City of Lisbon and the Tagus River. The castle is a National Monument which occupies a special area of the old citadel. Furthermore, the grounds are an active archaeological dig and include the castle, as well as the remains of the former royal palace. The historic neighborhood surrounding the castle is for the wealthy and privileged class of the city.

While touring places to see in Lisbon make sure to embrace the cities food, wine and culture. From classic walking tours to car hires to get you from different sites around the city. Everything is alive and with wonderious possibilities each day you are there.

Lisbon is an amazing and unique city among the cities of the world. If you are looking for adventure, you will find it in Lisbon. It is the most unusual city in all of Europe, with its efforts in making sure that the past is never forgotten. The past and the present seem to flow together in a seamless matter that has a freshness about it. On your next European adventure, be sure and include this rare and one of a kind city in your itinerary.

Enjoy this list of Things To Do In Lisbon and that it provides you with some useful insight into what we found and what you can also see and do while there.

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Happy Travels,

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Editors Notes:

Keywords to help you continue research within the search engines.

With all things search related make sure to copy this keyword and to use it as a search term for traveling around the area with things to do in lisbon.

Of course just using the cities name will also yield some interesting results (lisbon)because we did some related searches and found some interesting tidbits in regards to the cities name alone.

This search basically brought up the major travel guide companies and was helpful for the basic in formation on lisbon portugal.

To our surprise by reversing the order additional material came up and the really helped us when planning our trip (portugal lisbon).

The what to do in lisbon term is useful in generating information on specific locations and ther where a few unkown places that came up.

With this article and information from these additional searches you should be able to make a great list. Rank your list according to must see location and group according to location. By doing so you will be able to see more and avoid some of the traffic around the city. We reccomend hiring a car hire and use the services of a high quality hotel to assist you. We did this and had several drivers who all worked out well. Get prices ahead of time and don’t negociate after this has already been agreed. With that being said our things to do in Lisbon comes from our first hand experience, and from our research before hand. We feel just this list alone will keep you very busy.

Happy Travels!

Exploring Sé de Lisboa Cathedral In Lisbon Portugal

December 19, 2017 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Sé de Lisboa Cathedral

Sé de Lisboa Cathedral, was commissioned by King Afonso I in 1147, after he conquered the city from the Moors in 1147. It was built on the original site of a Moorish Mosque. Often called the ” Sé ,” it is the largest Roman Catholic Church in Portugal.

This spectacular Cathedral is a combination of Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque architecture. The Cathedral has been through several major earthquakes, and one fire over the years. These disasters caused it to be repaired and rebuilt several times, adding to the type of architecture used in it’s building. Regardless of the different styles making up the Cathedral, it is ornately beautiful. It became a Portuguese National Monument in the year of 1910.

Sé de Lisboa Cathedral Altar

The altar area is extremely impressive with it’s ornate incense burners, balconies that are used for the choirs and organs. There are several ornate and beautiful statues. It is a beautiful house of prayer.

Interior Stained Glass Window

Beautiful stained glass and an upper walkway that goes throughout the upper level of the worship area.

Gothic Tomb Of Knight Lopo Fernandes Pacheco

Knight Lopo Fernandes Pacheco was the 7th Lord of Ferreira de Aves. He was the first of his linage to ascend to the highest levels of nobility. He was a favorite of the monarchy and held many trustworthy positions within the kingdom. He was favored highly by Afonso IV , who even entrusted the education of his children into his hands.

His tomb is located in the ambulatory where his statue is laying across his tomb holding what would seem to be a sword. Not seen in the picture above, is the statue of a dog that appears to be guarding him at the bottom of the tomb.

Tomb Of Maria De Vilalobos Sé De Lisboa Portugal.

Maria De Vilalobos Sé was the wife of Knight Lopo Fernandes Pacheco. She is shown above her tomb reading her Book Of Hours, a Catholic Prayer Book.

Another Of The Many Tombs Inside The Cathedral

The Cathedral was the burial place of the nobility, the important, the rich, and the saints. St Anthony, Patron Saint of Lisbon, was also believed to have been buried in the Cathedral. Many of the tombs were destroyed during the many earthquakes.

Gothic Arches Spread Out Encompassing The Tall Vaulted Ceilings

Tall Gothic Windows Look Out Over The Tagus River In Lisbon Portugal

Large Phoenician Archaeological Dig In The Lisbon Cathedral in Portugal

A large excavation was began in 1990 reveling many pieces of pottery from dating back to the 6th -14th Centuries. A lot of Phoenician, Roman, and Moorish ceramics and pottery have been found and identified. As they have begun to dig deeper, an earlier mosque was discovered.

A Time To Pray

The Cathedral is a Roman Catholic House of prayer. Special remembrance for a deceased relative or an intention of special importance can be purchased. This insures that your prayer will be remembered by the spiritual leader in charge.

Exploring Sé de Lisboa Cathedral In Lisbon Portugal should be a major destination on any Lisbon adventure. There is so much history within this monument. It is ornately beautiful and several hours will be needed to discover all there is to see.

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“Helping bring the world together one friend at a time. So travel

and discover that the world is full of wonderful people.” – ExploreTraveler

@exploretraveler

We have a travel tip audio book that you can purchase at Audible –> Here

Happy Travels,

ExploreTraveler.com