Naval Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Belém > Restelo

Location:

The Maritime Museum is located in the Belém area, in Lisbon. It is housed in one of the wings of the Jerónimos Monastery, a place with strong historical ties to great Portuguese maritime achievements, by the bank of the Tagus River.

Its location in Belém, an emblematic area of the city, makes it easily accessible and part of a context of great cultural and historical importance.

Origin and Mission

The history of this museum began in 1863, on the initiative of King D. Luís, who wished to create a collection that would bear witness to Portugal's rich maritime activity throughout the centuries.

The main objective is to preserve and disseminate the country's vast maritime past, covering various aspects of the Portuguese relationship with the sea, from the great moments of exploration to daily life linked to navigation.

Testimonies of Portuguese Navigation

The museum houses an extensive collection that narrates the evolution of navigation in Portugal. It covers periods from the Age of Discoveries to more recent times, showcasing the sea's importance in the country's history and identity.

The collection includes a variety of vessel models from different eras and types, instruments that guided navigators, and even royal vessels that once sailed in Portuguese waters.

The Grand Vessels Exhibit

One of the museum's distinctive features is the Galleots Pavilion. This building was purpose-built to house some of the collection's largest and most emblematic pieces, namely sumptuous royal vessels.

Here, one can see galleots and brigantines that served the royal family on special occasions, offering an impressive perspective on the luxury and scale of these historical vessels.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt