Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Santa Maria Maior
The Carmo Archaeological Museum is located within the imposing ruins of the former Carmo Convent, in the heart of the Santa Maria Maior area, in Lisbon. Its location on one of the city's hills gives it a unique setting. Being housed inside these striking Gothic structures offers visitors an experience that combines archaeology with the history and atmosphere of the site itself.
The setting in which the museum is situated tells a dramatic story of the city. The Carmo Convent, once one of Lisbon's most important religious buildings, was severely damaged by the 1755 earthquake. The earthquake and the subsequent fire left the church in its current form, with its nave open to the sky. Although its reconstruction was considered and initiated, it was ultimately not completed in the 19th century. The ruins remain today as one of the most notable memorials to the catastrophe that shaped Lisbon.
The museum was founded in 1864 on the initiative of Joaquim Possidónio da Silva, the first president of the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists. Its main objective was to safeguard the vast national heritage that was dispersed and at risk, following the extinction of religious orders and the conflicts experienced in the country. By bringing together artefacts from various locations and periods, the museum took on a pioneering role in protecting Portugal's historical and artistic legacy.
The collection of the Carmo Archaeological Museum offers a fascinating journey through different eras and cultures. The collections cover a very vast chronological period, from prehistory to more recent times. Visitors can observe archaeological finds, architectural elements, funerary monuments of great artistic value (such as the tomb of King D. Fernando), tile panels, and other testaments to life and art throughout the centuries. A notable part of the collection includes pieces unusual for European museums, such as a collection of pre-Columbian ceramics and mummies, and an Egyptian sarcophagus.
One of the most striking aspects of the visit is the uniqueness of the exhibition space. The museum's pieces are displayed within the ruins of the Carmo Church, taking advantage of the grandeur of the roofless Gothic architecture. The high ogival arches frame the exhibits, creating an atmosphere of great aesthetic beauty and introspection. This unusual setting, where history can be felt and the sky contemplated, offers a memorable context for discovering the archaeological heritage preserved there.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.7121105,-9.1402403
Coordinates DMS: 38°42'43.6"N 09°08'24.9"W
Weather Lisboa
On-duty Pharmacy Lisboa
