Medeiros e Almeida is a house museum on Rua Mouzinho da Silveira in Lisbon, set inside the former home of collector António de Medeiros e Almeida. Its rooms combine the feel of a turn-of-the-century mansion with a collection spanning European and Chinese art and decorative objects. Look for the clocks and watches, Chinese porcelain, silverware, furniture and paintings, including works by Thomas Gainsborough. The visit is a good fit if you want to see how a private collection and an elegant Lisbon home can be experienced together.
A collector’s former home
The museum occupies the former residence of António de Medeiros e Almeida, a businessman and collector. The house was built in 1896 and expanded in the 1970s as his collection grew. Medeiros e Almeida made his early fortune importing British cars to Portugal in the 1930s, and later worked in aviation and sugar. He turned his home into a museum so the objects he had gathered could be seen by the public.
The museum opened to the public in 2001. Its layout brings together the original mansion, kept much as it was when the family lived there, and a later wing built over the garden to house much of the collection. Moving between the rooms gives a sense of both the private home and the breadth of the collection assembled for it.
Clocks, porcelain and silver
Timepieces are a particular draw. Clocks and watches appear throughout the house, with a dedicated room filled with clocks near the end of the visit. The collection also includes a rosewood-and-glass marble clock, alongside furniture and other decorative objects.
Chinese Qing porcelain sits among works and objects connected with European and Portuguese history. The collection includes a Portuguese silver tea and coffee service used by Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile, as well as luxury silverware, snuff boxes, fans, textiles, ceramics and sculptures. Paintings include works by Thomas Gainsborough, Rubens and Tiepolo, and a portrait attributed to Rembrandt is among the pieces noted in accounts of the museum.
Rooms that preserve the mansion’s character
The house’s decorated rooms are part of the visit, not just a backdrop for the objects. French-style salons and the collector’s private study are among the spaces described in the mansion. The original rooms retain the character of a family home, while the later wing provides space for the wider collection.
The objects span the 17th to 20th centuries and reflect Medeiros e Almeida’s varied interests. Rather than focusing on one medium, the collection brings paintings, furniture, porcelain, silver, clocks and other decorative arts together. Labels and explanations are available in multiple languages, including Portuguese and English.
Häufige Fragen
How long should I spend at the Medeiros e Almeida Museum?
Allow about 1 to 2 hours. The house and its varied collection include several rooms to explore.
Is the Medeiros e Almeida Museum open on Mondays?
Yes. It is open on Mondays and closed on Sundays.
Is admission free on Saturday mornings?
One published guide lists free admission on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check the museum’s current information before you go.
Can I leave a backpack at the museum?
Lockers are available for bags and backpacks.
