When we go to a museum we always expect to see portraits of people whenever heard of, statues of things we don’t understand, and so on. This is the main reason why people, who are not into arts, consider museums and galleries boring. Once in Lisbon, these tourists will find other attractions of the city. And even if you are that kind of a tourist and you’re reading this now, I want to tell you Stop! There really are interesting museums, where you can not only witness beauty, but learn about the city’s history as well.
Despite the fact that beauty and history are almost always combined in all Lisbon attractions, the National Tile Museum has to stand up for its uniqueness, at least. You will be surprised to see tiles, which are not even used anymore in some countries, forming mosaic pictures, gigantic and wonderful. The building of the museum, the Convent of Madre de Deus, dates back to 1509. So the building itself is an artifact.
One of the must-sees of the museum is the 23 meters long Lisbon panel. It’ll help you to picture what Lisbon was like before the disastrous earthquake in 1755. The collection is very big. You can find tiles that date back to the 16th century. Others are quite modern, made using modern technologies. You would think that the ones produced recently would be more impressive and rich, but, as it turns out, technologies play a small role in the human understanding of beauty. I have to admit that the older tiles are much more interesting. After all, they are the carriers of art trends that no longer exist. It’s like unearthing a mausoleum dedicated to a Egyptian pharaoh.
The museum often hosts or organizes temporary exhibitions, which usually concentrate on specific time periods of Portuguese art. The permanent collection is singular in the whole world. The peculiarity of the tiles on display is their connection with Lisbon’s architecture and development over the time. The tiles picture the scenery, sites, and buildings of the city. You can get an audio guide at the entrance. If you are a person who likes to understand what he sees, then do take one. Without proper explanations, the collection will be of less value.
Moreover, you should visit the museum in the beginning of your vacation. Once you see the exhibition, you’ll start linking the tiles of the city as you walk. The district of Alfama is particularly popular in this sense.
I will repeat this once more, don’t miss this museum. The name might sound a little boring at first, but the fact is that the majority of tourists loved the place. It’s a great place to get out of the cultural tornado of world-known paintings and statues. If you were searching a surprise, you can’t find a better one than the National Tile Museum.
By the way, you can get free admission if you have a Lisbon Card. Don’t forget to visit the shop at the end. Even if you have decided to restore your house in accordance with modern styles, the reproductions of traditional Portuguese tiles can come handy when trying to give your kitchen an original look.
