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Visiting the Azulejo Museum Lisbon and Madre de Deus is a must-see!
The National Tile Museum in Lisbon is one of the most visited museums in the city! The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is located in the former Madre de Deus Convent in the city’s eastern part.
In this guide, I will explain how to reach the Azulejos Museum in Lisbon, how to get tickets, and what to expect. I live close to the museum and occasionally visit it to admire the thousands of tiles.
The Tile Museum in Lisbon is perfect if you want to learn more about Portuguese culture and history or see the many different tiles throughout the centuries. Even your kids might enjoy the colourful tiles!
Overview of the Azulejos Museum in Lisbon, Portugal
Visit the Azulejo Museum in Lisbon
The old convent Madre de Deus in Lisbon has an outstanding collection of tiles. These characteristic tiles are everywhere in Portugal, and the Lisbon Azulejo Museum teaches you more about the different styles, their history, and their making. Visiting the National Tile Museum is one of the best things to do in Lisbon!
Not only are the colourful Portuguese tiles beautiful, but they also have a purpose. Especially in the past, their primary goal was to keep out low temperatures and protect the house’s walls.
The tiles were also used to tell stories and as an artistic expression. You’ll find many biblical and historical scenes, mainly in churches. Let’s take a look at what you can expect at the National Tile Museum in Lisbon, Portugal!
The Madre Deus Monastery
In Xabregas, in the eastern part of Lisbon, you’ll discover a sober-looking building and a church. From the outside, you wouldn’t guess what beauty lies inside.
The Madre de Deus Convent is a former convent and ancient monastery where you can now find the National Museum of the Azulejo (Museu Nacional do Azulejo in Portuguese).
The Church of the Mother of God and the convent were founded in 1509 by Queen D. Leonor. Only the remains of the religious structures are still standing. The other parts were destroyed in the great earthquake in 1755.
The Monastery of Madre Deus is richly decorated with paintings and tiles. You’ll discover a Brazilian wood display, the high choir, and the Chapel of Saint Anthony, with Baroque decorations from the 18th century.
André Gonçalves and other painters from this era made the paintings on the nave and the main chapel. Dutch tile painters such as Jan van Oort en Willem van der Kloet worked on the azulejos in the church.
The tile collection at the Museum of Azulejos Lisbon
The National Azulejo Museum was established in 1965 and opened in 1980. Once inside, you’ll see the permanent Azulejo collection with stunning examples.
The Museu Nacional do Azulejo houses one of the most significant tile panels in the world! After entering, you’ll first get an overview of the techniques and materials used for manufacturing.
The oldest azulejos are from the second half of the 15th century, and you’ll discover newer decorative ceramic tiles by following the route. You’ll clearly see the evolution of the art form and how the styles developed.
On the top floor, you’ll discover a tile panel with blue and white tiles. This composition consists of 1300 tiles that show Lisbon’s cityscape before the earthquake. It was made in 1738 and is, to date, the most extended azulejo piece in Portugal.
It is 23 meters long and displays 14 kilometres of Lisbon’s skyline. You’ll notice that some monuments no longer exist as they didn’t survive the earthquake in 1755.
The styles of the Portuguese tiles
The word azulejo, or azzelij, has Arabic roots and means small polished stone. The glazed ceramic tiles date back to the 13th century, from the times of the Moors. Back in the day, the style was pretty straightforward, with mainly blue and white colours, but over the years, some incredible art creations have been made.
When King Manuel I returned from Seville, the tiles took off in Portugal. This was during the Gothic period, a time for plenty of inspiration. Simple geometric shapes made way for ornate decorations with plenty of storytelling in the designs of the Azulejo mosaic. You’ll see this not only in the Azulejo Museum Lisbon but also in churches, facades and train stations.
After the earthquake, the Manueline architecture (the Portuguese-Gothic style) changed to the Pombaline style. This is named after Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the first Marquês de Pombal. He was instrumental in reconstructing Lisbon and supervised the building plans.
A standardised way of decorating was applied to both the inside and outside houses, and the Baixa neighbourhood was built in a grid shape. Most buildings were created in a simple neoclassical style without too many azulejos. The azulejos that were used had repetitive geometric patterns, and they were cheap and fast to make.
With so many stories about the tiles and modern designs, the National Tile Museum Portugal is one of the best museums in Lisbon! The contemporary designs are fantastic to see! The museum also has temporary exhibitions with modern azulejos.
How to get to the National Tile Museum Lisbon
The National Tile Museum in Xabregas is a bit out of the touristic route, but it’s easy to reach by public transport. The closest metro station is Santa Apolónia, which is a 20- to 30-minute walk away. You can also take the bus from the station. In fact, bus 759 stops right at the front door, and bus 794 stops around the corner.
If you have the Lisboa Card, you can take all public transport for free. With the Lisboa Card, you can also enter the museum completely free of charge. The hop-on-hop-off bus also stops at the National Azulejo Museum entrance.
National Tile Museum Lisbon opening times
The National Tile Museum and gift shop is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM. The last entry is at 5.30 PM.
The Tile Museum is closed on Mondays and public holidays, which are January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, June 13th, and December 25th.
Lisbon National Tile Museum tickets
The entrance fee of the Museum of Azulejos Lisbon is € 10,00 per person. Children under 12 can enter the museum for free.
You can buy tickets online, so you don’t have to wait in line. Lisboa Card holders can enter the Lisbon National Tile Museum for free, as the entrance is included.
Things to do in the neighbourhood
Honestly, there is not an awful lot to see around the Azulejo Museum. If you like the artworks by Bordalo II, you can spot two nearby. You can see the Monkey artwork at his studio and the Frog on Rua da Manutenção.
However, getting back to Santa Apolónia is easy, and you can start exploring the Alfama neighbourhood from there. The Lisbon Cathedral, São Jorge Castle, the Santa Luzia viewpoint, and the Fado Museum are famous sights to visit. If you want to see more tiles, I highly recommend visiting Igreja de São Vincente de Fora.
Make your own Azulejo Tile!
Can’t get enough of the Portuguese tiles? Join a workshop and learn how to paint your own azulejo tile in Lisbon! I did this workshop for my birthday, and it’s one of the best creative activities I’ve done in the city! And what a cute souvenir to bring home!
Here are some amazing workshop options:
FAQ
What church is in the Tile Museum Lisbon?
The National Tile Museum in Lisbon Portugal is housed in the former Madre de Deus Convent in Xabregas, Lisbon. Seeing the church interior is a highlight of your visit!
Is the National Tile Museum worth visiting?
If you like ceramic art, then yes! You will learn more about the history of tile, see several murals made from ceramics, and see azulejo tiles from the 15th and 16th century until present days.
Is the National Tile Museum open today?
The Azulejos Museum Lisbon, Portugal, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The Lisbon Tile Museum is closed on Mondays and public holidays (January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, June 13th, and December 25th).
Conclusion
The National Tile Museum in Lisbon is one of the city’s most visited museums. If you love history and azulejo tile as an art form, you should definitely add the museum to your itinerary. Inside the Museum of Azulejos in Lisbon, you’ll discover tile panels from the 15th century to the present.
The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is housed in the Mosteiro da Madre de Deus and is easily reached by bus from Santa Apolónia, Terreiro do Paço, and Cais de Sodré stations. Combine your visit with the Alfama neighbourhood and enjoy the city’s eastern part!
Discover other incredible museums!
- MAAT Lisbon – Discover the city’s favourite art museum in Belém
- Explore Portuguese heritage in the Popular Art Museum in Lisbon
- Visiting the National Tile Museum and Madre de Deus in Lisbon
- Lisbon’s fabulous Fado Museum in the heart of Alfama
- The National Coach Museum and the Old Royal Riding School in Belém
- Enjoy mesmerising historical art at the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon
- Quake Museum Lisbon: A shaky but groundbreaking and fantastic experience!
- Discover the ruins of the Carmo Convent in Lisbon
- Beautiful contemporary art at the Serralves Museum in Porto
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