Museu da Música Mecânica

About the museum

The Museu da Música Mecânica (Museum of Mechanical Music) opened on 4 October 2016 in the municipality of Palmela. It is a private museum on a rural estate with an equestrian centre, a garden and a sports field. The building, of 1,020 m², was designed by the architect Miguel Marcelino as a large closed music box; the main façade has a concave shape that recalls the bell-shaped horns of phonographs and gramophones and marks the entrance.

The collection, assembled over a lifetime by the collector Luís Cangueiro, has more than 600 pieces that operate by exclusively mechanical systems and date from the late 18th century to the first half of the 20th century. It ranges from the oldest cylinder music boxes of wood or metal to gramophones, passing through mechanical pianos and other instruments, all in working order.

The route is spread over five galleries around a central courtyard. A lift and a staircase lead to the documentation room, the 70-seat auditorium and the multipurpose room. At weekends, the guided tour includes live demonstrations of the instruments.

Highlights

• More than 600 mechanical music instruments, all in working order
• Guided tour with live music at weekends
• Building shaped like a music box, by Miguel Marcelino
• 70-seat auditorium and tactile experiences

Permanent exhibition

• Coleção de música mecânica – More than 600 mechanical instruments in working order, from cylinder music boxes to gramophones, across five galleries.

Founded

2016

Operated by

Museu privado (Associação dos Amigos do Museu da Música Mecânica)

Admission & discounts

Payment by Multibanco is accepted, but international cards are not.

Accessibility

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

The museum is adapted for visitors with reduced mobility; it has a lift to the upper floors and a wheelchair available to borrow at reception. The auditorium has 70 seats and 2 spaces for wheelchair users. There are braille room sheets, replicas and objects to touch, buttons to play the music boxes during the self-guided visit, and a cheaper ticket for people with disabilities and deaf people.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum offers children's birthday parties, family tickets and guided tours with live music; the toilets have a baby-changing facility.

Getting there & parking

By car via the Ponte 25 de Abril, take the Palmela toll exit towards Pinhal Novo and follow the signs to the museum (about 7 minutes). Via the Ponte Vasco da Gama, take the Pinhal Novo exit, head towards Lagoa da Palha and then follow the signs (about 5 minutes).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The museum has a foyer, a café and a shop, a free private car park, and toilets with a baby-changing facility.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 70 guests.

Rental of the auditorium (70 seats, 25 m² stage) and the multipurpose room for private and business events.

Plan your visit