Museu Arqueológico do Carmo
Museum of the Associação dos Arqueólogos Portugueses, in the ruins of the former Carmo Church, with collections from Prehistory to contemporary art.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu Arqueológico do Carmo was founded in 1864 by the Associação dos Arqueólogos Portugueses, created a year earlier, and is housed in the ruins of the former Carmo Church in Lisbon. It is considered the first art and archaeology museum in the country. The association, today the oldest heritage-protection association in Portugal, was born in 1863 as the Associação dos Arquitectos Civis Portugueses, founded by Joaquim Possidónio Narciso da Silva.
In its early years the museum functioned as a kind of “salvage museum” (museu de salvados), collecting archaeological, architectural and sculptural pieces, fragments of monuments, heraldic stones and azulejo panels. The scattered origins of these items gave rise to a very eclectic collection.
The museum closed in 1995 for the construction of new lines of the Lisbon Metro, and the opportunity was taken to completely redesign the museum space. Among the highlights are the collection of Roman epigraphy, pre-Columbian ceramics and mummies, a sarcophagus and an Egyptian mummy, the large holdings from the excavation of the Castro de Vila Nova de São Pedro (Chalcolithic, c. 3000 BC) in Azambuja, and several contemporary art interventions created for the space.
Highlights
- Ruins of the former Carmo Church as an exhibition space
- Egyptian sarcophagus and mummy
- Pre-Columbian mummies and ceramics
- Roman epigraphy
- Holdings from the Castro de Vila Nova de São Pedro (c. 3000 BC)
- Contemporary art interventions
Permanent exhibition
- Exposição permanente – Collections of archaeology, art and epigraphy from Prehistory to the contemporary era, in the ruins of the former Carmo Church.
- Founded
- 1864
- Operated by
- Associação dos Arqueólogos Portugueses
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Students, seniors (65 or over), Lisboa Card holders and residents of Portugal, with proof. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 14 · Free admission up to age 14, accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | €5Aged 65 or over. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Reduced mobility, with one companion, with a disability certificate of 60% or more. |
| Students & apprentices | €5With proof. |
| Groups (31+ people) | €5 per personGroups of more than 30 people. |
| Guided tour | €7Also for seniors and students |
Standard adult ticket: €7. Free admission also for ICOM members. The museum accepts payment in cash, by debit or credit card and by MB Way.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum has a platform, ramps and toilets for visitors with special needs. Guide dogs are allowed.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 14 |
|---|
- Baby changing facilities
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi for all visitors. Museum shop. Baby-changing facilities available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography without tripod and flash is allowed; filming requires prior authorisation. |
| Good to know | Touching the objects, eating and drinking, and smoking are not allowed. Information on the time of the next guided tour is available at reception. |
