History of Portugal  from blue to white

Discover the most unique museum in the whole world

If there is good Portuguese art this is the art of tile (azulejo) , ceramic glazed piece that together with others, tells us stories of experiences of the old Portugal . It was precisely in this sense that was built the National Tile Museum, created in 1965, which presents the history and evolution of the art of this piece in a magnificent convent of the sixteenth century, constituting the most appreciated attractions of the capital.

This museum is unique worldwide, as no country is devoted to this art as much as Portugal. Interestingly, the production of tiles is originating from Egypt, and then spread in the rest of Africa and Europe. In Portugal the glory season of the tile lasted only a few years, however its style accompanied the economic power that lived in Portugal at the time. The tiles were used to decorate altars, map cities, confer the status of the housing powers and served it to political and social satire.

The collection of the National Tile Museum covers the production _ tiles from the second half of the fifteenth century to the current days. In addition to tiles this show also includes ceramics, porcelain and faience illustrating the materials and the manufacturing techniques. A visit to MNAz includes a passage through beautiful church of the sixteenth century.

Among the exhibits there is the colorful “Nossa Senhora da Vida” de 1580, which represents the birth of Christ “A Lição de Dança” of 1707, the “Retrato de Senhora” of the early nineteenth century and “O Casamento da Galinha” of 1665.

Address: Rua da Madre de Deus, 4, 1900-312 Lisboa

Phone: (+351) 218 100 340

Open Hours: Tue - Sun: 10:00 to 18:00 | Closed: Easter Sunday and New Year holidays, 1 May and 25 Dec

See prices here.