Museu do Combatente

About the museum

The Museu do Combatente (Museum of the Combatant) opened in 2003 as a small exhibition in the Forte do Bom Sucesso (Bom Sucesso Fort), next to the Torre de Belém (Belém Tower), and eventually occupied the whole fort complex. The building had been handed over to the Liga dos Combatentes (Veterans' League) in 1999, after a long period of abandonment.

The museum is dedicated to Portuguese military history, from the Great War to peacekeeping missions. The route includes photography, sculpture, painting and military equipment, the exhibition “O Combatente do Século XX” (The Combatant of the 20th Century), a collection of around 500 aircraft models, and the three-dimensional exhibition “A Trincheira” (The Trench), which recreates with life-size figures the life of Portuguese soldiers in the trenches of Flanders. Outside there is an area with weapons and vehicles, and a room dedicated to the Navy.

On the grounds there is also the Monument to the Combatants of the Overseas Territories, with about 10,000 names of servicemen inscribed on plaques, and a chapel and memorial in homage to those who fell overseas.

Highlights

• “A Trincheira” exhibition, with life-size figures
• Around 500 aircraft models, from the Wright brothers to the present day
• “O Combatente do Século XX” exhibition
• Weapons and vehicles outdoors
• Monument to the Combatants of the Overseas Territories

Permanent exhibitions

• O Combatente do Século XX – Exhibition on Portuguese servicemen of the 20th century, from the Great War to the Colonial War, with photography, painting and equipment.
• A Trincheira – Three-dimensional re-creation of the daily life of Portuguese soldiers in the trenches of Flanders during the First World War, with life-size figures.
• História da Aviação – Around 500 scale aircraft models, from the Wright brothers onwards.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Liga dos Combatentes

Admission & discounts

Free admission for members of the Liga dos Combatentes and former servicemen. Payment is in cash or by Multibanco.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 spaces are accessible to people with reduced mobility, and guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The fort is next to the Torre de Belém, on Avenida Brasília.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

The Café do Forte includes a restaurant, ticket office and outdoor toilets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.