Casa Fernando Pessoa

About the museum

In 1920 Fernando Pessoa moved with his family to the first-floor flat on the right of no. 16 Rua Coelho da Rocha, in Campo de Ourique. It was his 18th home, and he lived there until a few days before his death on 30 November 1935. At the end of the 1980s Lisbon City Council bought the building, which was in poor condition and at risk of demolition, in order to store and display the writer’s estate, which included personal objects, furniture and a large part of his books.

The house opened on 30 November 1993, the anniversary of the poet’s death. The building was rebuilt to a design by the architect Daniela Ermano, with only the façade, the staircase and two rooms of the family flat remaining original. Since its opening it has had an auditorium, a library and a reconstruction of the writer’s bedroom. In 2012 it came under the management of EGEAC.

Between 2019 and 2020 it was remodelled to be more accessible and sustainable and to increase its exhibition area, to an architectural design by José Adrião Arquitectos. The permanent exhibition occupies three floors, organised in chapters, and Pessoa’s private library, classified as a National Treasure, is its central core. In 2021 the house received the APOM award for Best Portuguese Museum.

Highlights

• Fernando Pessoa’s private library, classified as a National Treasure
• Permanent exhibition across three floors, including the chapter on the heteronyms
• Portrait “Fernando Pessoa lendo Orpheu” by Almada Negreiros
• Reconstruction of the flat where the writer lived
• Accessible route with tactile paving, Braille and interpretation in Portuguese Sign Language (LGP)

Permanent exhibition

• Exposição de longa duração da Casa Fernando Pessoa – Exhibition across three floors on Pessoa’s life and work: the heteronyms, the private library, the reconstructed flat and Lisbon’s literary life.

Founded

1993

Operated by

EGEAC – Lisboa Cultura

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 21 March, 18 May, 13 June and 30 November.

Free admission also for former combatants, members of APOM and ICOM, tourism professionals, journalists, accredited researchers and teachers (with prior booking) and Lisboa Card holders. Tickets are bought at the museum ticket office or online via BOL.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

The main entrance, at no. 18, is step-free, by a ramp with landings. There is a lift for one or two wheelchairs, an accessible toilet, a wheelchair at reception, tactile paving, Braille information and tactile materials. There are a pictogram guide, a sensory map, tactile plans and sensory backpacks, subtitles and Portuguese Sign Language (LGP) interpretation in the audiovisual material, relaxed sessions, audio-described tours and tours in LGP. Outside the building there is a public parking space for persons with disabilities (weekdays, 9:00–18:00).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The education service organises visits and workshops for children, families and schools, and there are relaxed sessions designed also for families with young children.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Bookshop-shop, where the ticket office is located. On floor -1 (basement) there are key lockers (€1 coin, returned when the locker is opened).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The house has an auditorium and makes spaces available on commercial enquiry (comercial@casafernandopessoa.pt).

Plan your visit