Museu do Fado

About the museum

The Museu do Fado opened to the public in 1998 in Lisbon and is a municipal facility run by EGEAC. The collections of hundreds of performers, authors, composers, musicians, instrument makers and researchers who helped build the history of fado, a performing art born in the historic quarters of Lisbon about 200 years ago, have come together here.

The collection is unique in the world and includes periodicals, photographs, posters, sheet music, musical instruments, sound recordings, costumes and performance props, trophies and professional documentation. From the outset the museum has taken on the functions specific to the museology of intangible heritage, with temporary exhibitions, publications, seminars, research and a school. In 2006 an application was submitted for the restoration and enhancement of the building, which provided for the removal of architectural barriers, and the expansion of the exhibition circuit earned the museum several awards in 2009.

The permanent exhibition tells the history of fado from 19th-century Lisbon to the present day, with interactive multimedia. The route covers how urban song was popularised through theatre, radio, cinema and television, the evolution of the Portuguese guitar, the atmosphere of fado houses and the biographies of dozens of artists. Among the works on display are O Fado by José Malhoa and O Marinheiro by Constantino Fernandes.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the history of fado since the 19th century
• Technical evolution of the Portuguese guitar
• Biographical routes of dozens of fado personalities
• Paintings O Fado by José Malhoa and O Marinheiro by Constantino Fernandes
• Audio guide included, also for children
• Museum school, with Portuguese guitar courses

Permanent exhibition

• Exposição permanente – A journey through the history of fado from 19th-century Lisbon, with interactive multimedia, Portuguese guitars, costumes, sheet music, periodicals and works of visual art.

Founded

1998

Operated by

EGEAC – Empresa de Gestão de Equipamentos e Animação Cultural

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of the municipality of Lisbon have free admission on Sundays and public holidays until 14:00.

Free admission also for Lisbon residents up to age 23 and over 65, holders of the Lisboa Card (adult), unemployed residents of Lisbon, tourism professionals on duty, accredited researchers and teachers by appointment, and members of APOM and ICOM. Proof is required for all reductions and exemptions. Tickets are sold at the museum ticket office and on BOL.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Audio guide for younger visitors, educational workshops, visits with activities, and concerts and theatre for children and young people; admission is free up to age 12.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Themed shop with discography, bibliography, postcards, musical instruments and shawls. The museum has an auditorium (Auditório Ruben de Carvalho, with 90 seats) and rehearsal rooms.

Events & venue rental

The 90-seat auditorium hosts conferences, workshops, performances and presentations; the rehearsal rooms can be used by fado performers and instrumentalists by prior booking.

Plan your visit