My all-time favourite museum in Lisbon is the tiles museum, Museu Nacional do Azulejo. The museum itself is located in a former convent, classified as a National Monument and a hidden gem in itself. Tiles can basically be found everywhere in Lisbon and Portugal, but the collection of tiles in this extraordinary monument, make it all together an experience full of beauty for body and spirit.
The Museum was founded in 1965 in the Convent of the Mother God or “Madre Deus” that in turn was founded in 1509. By visiting the museum, one will see the development of the art of making tiles in Portugal, an art that was introduced by the Moors, in the early middle ages, and has developed to a truly Portuguese art. While visiting the different parts of the exhibition one can understand the influences from worldwide sources like the Dutch and Chines porcelain and understand the use of different sets of colours and technics at different stages in time. A guided visit will give the whole spectra of the development of the art of “azulejos”, pointing out interesting features like some very common decoration items, like the wine leave, the camelia flower etc. One of the highlights is the 23 m long blue-and white tile depicting Lisbon before the earthquake in 1755, giving us interesting information of how the coast-line of the city looked at that time. One can also find modern tiles, similar to the one being used for decoration in public buildings and in the underground stations of Lisbon. Altogether, there are tiles presented from the middle ages until today, showing the importance of this art in the Portuguese cultural heritage.
The Church- Madre Deus in itself is one the most beautiful churches in Lisbon and exposes a richness in carved wood plated with gold as well as blue and white tiles depicting landscape and sceneries.
Take your time to appreciate both the building and the varied tiles collection and finish up with lunch or a coffee- break in the restaurant located in the former kitchen of the Convent and the experience will be complete.
