Lisbon

The Jerónimos Monastery is a National Monument and was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

King Manuel I built a large monastery near the location where the Infante D. Henrique ordered a church to be built in the mid-15th century by invocation of St. Mary of Belém.

To immortalise the memory of the Infante, for his intense devotion to Our Lady and faith in St. Jerome, in 1496 King Manuel I decided to found the Monastery of St. Mary of Belém, near the city of Lisbon, next to the Tagus River.

Donated to the monks of the Order of St. Jerome, today it is commonly known as the Jerónimos Monastery.

A pantheon of the Avis-Beja Dynasty, in the 19th century the church became the sepulchre for heroes and poets: Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões.

A notable work of architecture, it became part of Portuguese identity and culture.

The Arpad Szenes-Vieira da Silva Foundation was created to study and to diffuse the knowledge of Vieira da Silva work, one of the most outstanding in the 20th century, as well as her husband work, Arpad Szenes. Based in a way to give a time/ historical and esthetical frame to the art of these two artists, the Foundation presents, regularly, temporary exhibitions from other artists, national and international, who lived or shared with them artistics affinities. The museum program also aims to give a place to Arpad Szenes and Vieira da Silva’s work in the panorama of national and international art.

MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is the new cultural centre for Lisbon.

It’s a museum where these three areas intertwine within a space of debate, discovery, critical thinking and international dialogue. It’s an innovative project which establishes a connection between the new building, designed by Amanda Levete Architects’ studio, and Central Tejo Power Station, one of Portugal’s most prominent examples of industrial architecture from the first half of the 20th century, and one of the most visited museums in the country.

MAAT’s ambition is to present national and international exhibitions by contemporary artists, architects and thinkers. The programme will also include various curatorial perspectives on EDP Foundation’s private Art Collection, reflecting current subject matters and trends.

This house, winner of the 1905 Valmor Architecture Award and the former Studio of the painter José Malhoa, was purchased in 1932 by the ophthalmologist and art collector Dr António Anastácio Gonçalves (1888-1965), who used the house to display his impressive collection, which he wished to bestow to the State.

The collection includes a wide variety of objects, in particular Portuguese 19th century naturalist paintings and decorative art pieces, highlighted by an exquisite collection of Chinese porcelain.

Visitors to this house-museum can view the collections in the welcoming and day-to-day ambience of a house that is also a museum.

Besides the display, study and preservation of the permanent collection, the house-museum offers guided thematic visits and artistic expression workshops to foster life-long art learning experiences.

The house-museum also features free concerts, colloquiums and conferences.

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On  March  1st,  Casa  Fernando  Pessoa,  at  Rua  Coelho  da  Rocha  nº  16, will close its doors,  reopening them later this year,  more  accessible to all visitors and showcasing a  new museography project which will grant wider access to the writer’s estate.

+ info: https://casafernandopessoa.pt

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Visit the home of the greatest Portuguese literary genius of the 20th century in one of the most iconic bairros of Lisbon.

The Casa Fernando Pessoa, in Campo de Ourique, is a cultural centre where book presentations, talks, debates, conferences and exhibitions are held. From children to scholars, everyone comes to meet the writer whose talent was so great a single name couldn’t contain it.

And this is where you’ll find the original writing table where he invented his many alter egos, as well as many other personal objects such as his typewriter, glasses and books. In fact, his private library has so many books that they have all been digitalised and can be consulted online. After taking a guided or themed tour, you can recharge your batteries with something to eat at the excellent restaurant.

The traditional Portuguese food served does justice to the poet’s work and the wine list accompanies the style.

And if you haven’t yet read it, take a copy of the Book of Disquiet with you. It’s essential reading.