Museu de Lisboa – Santo António
Unit of the Museu de Lisboa next to the Sé, presenting Saint Anthony, the patron saint of Lisbon, and his relationship with the city where he was born.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu de Lisboa – Santo António is one of the units of the Museu de Lisboa and is located in the historic area of the city, next to the Church of Santo António and close to the Sé (cathedral). It presents the figure of the patron saint of Lisbon, highlighting his connection with the city where he was born and lived until the age of 20. The church dedicated to him was built on the spot traditionally identified as his birthplace and reflects a special relationship with the city's administration.
The long-term exhibition presents the history of Saint Anthony and the way his image was built up over the centuries, until he became one of the most popular saints in the world. It addresses lesser-known aspects of the devotion, such as his posthumous military career, the Afro-Brazilian cults associated with him and the distinctive forms of worship in Portugal and in the countries of Portuguese evangelisation. Recognised above all as a miracle-working saint, he has numerous patronages, including those of matchmaking and of lost objects.
The exhibition also covers the festivities that mark Lisbon's popular calendar, such as the procession, the weddings, the arraiais (street festivities) and the marchas (popular parade marches). Alongside works from the museum's collection, it shows pieces from public and private collections, renewed periodically, which make known the Saint Anthony-themed holdings scattered across the country.
Highlights
- Life and image of Saint Anthony, born in Lisbon
- Popular devotion: the saint of matchmaking and of lost objects
- Afro-Brazilian cults and worship in countries of Portuguese evangelisation
- Lisbon's popular festivities: procession, weddings, arraiais and marches
- Pieces from public and private collections, renewed periodically
Permanent exhibition
- Santo António (exposição de longa duração) – The history of Saint Anthony and the construction of his image, popular devotion and the Saint Anthony festivities of Lisbon, with works from the museum's collection and from public and private collections.
- Operated by
- Câmara Municipal de Lisboa (Museu de Lisboa)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | –50% discount for young people aged 13 to 25 and higher-education students up to age 25 who do not live in the municipality of Lisbon; 30% discount for people with specific needs (free companion) and for culture professionals; 20% discount for employees of Lisbon City Council and partner organisations. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Free admission up to age 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · 30% discount; the companion enters free. |
| Combined ticket (Palácio Pimenta, Santo António and Teatro Romano) | €8Valid for 2 months after purchase; no other age or category discounts apply. |
Free admission: Free admission on 18 May and 13 June, and on Sundays and public holidays until 14:00 for residents of the municipality of Lisbon.
Single ticket of €4 for the Santo António unit or for the Teatro Romano. Free admission, among others, for children up to 12, residents of the municipality of Lisbon up to age 23 and over 65 (Passe Cultura, sold in person only), journalists, guides, members of APOM and ICOM, and holders of the Lisboa Card (adults).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Museu de Lisboa has installed ramps, lifts, wheelchairs and accessible toilets in all its buildings. Multisensory visits and visits with interpretation in Portuguese Sign Language (LGP) are available by prior booking (servicoeducativo@museudelisboa.pt). Guide dogs are admitted.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Terreiro do Paço / Baixa-Chiado
Metro: Blue Line, Terreiro do Paço station; Green and Blue lines, Baixa-Chiado station. Buses 714, 732, 736, 737 and 760; trams 12E and 28E.
By car
Parking available
Nearby car parks: Chão do Loureiro, Campo das Cebolas and Portas do Sol.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visit every Saturday at 11:00, with no advance registration required. Groups of at least 5 people wishing to take a guided visit must book seven days in advance (servicoeducativo@museudelisboa.pt). Staff also speak English. |
