Convento do Carmo, the most beautiful ancient ruins of Lisbon

Convento do Carmo is one of the main witnesses of the 1755 earthquake, that devastated the city of Lisbon

The ruins of the Convento do Carmo are the most iconic images of Lisbon and one of the main testimonies of the 1755 earthquake that devastated the city. The convent was built in 1389 by contestable Nuno Alvares Pereira in Largo do Carmo, on the hill border to the Castle of São Jorge. Since then it underwent several restorations, which changed his initial appearance.

It was once the main Gothic church in the capital, being established to compete with the Lisbon Cathedral itself, in terms of its greatness and impact, remaining in ruins after the 1755 earthquake. A large fire started after the earthquake, further aggravating the disastrous size. However, despite the tragedy, the convent ended up having an interesting aesthetic.

In the former convent of the altar is the Archaeological Museum of Carmo, which is the part of the Paleolithic and Neolithic in Portugal, a library of rare books, a replica in miniature of the convent before the destruction, the mummies of South America and Gothic tombs. In front of the convent you will find the beautiful Chafariz do Carmo.

Address: Largo do Carmo, 1200-092 Lisboa

Phone: +351 213 460 473

Schedule:

From Monday to Saturday - 10am to 6pm (From October 1st to May 31st)

From Monday to Saturday - 10am to 7pm (From June 1st to September 30th)

Closed: Sunday, Christmas, New Year and May 1st