visit > museums & galleries

The Carmo Church was built in 1389. During the Battle of Aljubarrota against Castile, which gave rise to Portugal's independence, D. Nuno Álvares Pereira made a request to Our Lady of Carmo: if he survived the battle, he would build a church in her honor. And so it was - the Church of Carmo was built on the hill bordering São Jorge's Castle, where a Convent of the Franciscan Order was also built. For all the history associated with it, D. Nuno Álvares Pereira decided that it was in this Gothic-style monument that he wanted to be buried.

Quickly, the Church of Carmo became important for the entire city and for the country's identity. After all, D. Nuno is one of the most famous Portuguese heroes of the Middle Ages. Both the Church and the Convent received several additions over time, so it ended up becoming one of the richest buildings in Lisbon, with a mix of architectural styles.

Unfortunately, in 1755 the earthquake that shook the city caused very serious damage to the building, which also suffered from a consequent fire that destroyed almost all its contents. And although its reconstruction began the very next year, it was interrupted in 1834 due to the extinction of the Religious Orders in Portugal. From this period, the pillars and arches of the Convent's naves remain, and the ruins have been transformed into a memorial to the 1755 earthquake, and the Carmo Archaeological Museum (founded in 1864 by the first president of the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists) was also installed here.

The Carmo Archeological Museum was the first museum of art and archeology in the country, with the objective of safeguarding what remained not only of the Carmo Convent but also of other national places. Currently, it has a collection of about a thousand artifacts on permanent display.

This is a place of culture, contemplation, and history in the heart of downtown Lisbon, and the guided tour is extremely complete and enriching. More than the history of the place, here we get to know the history of the country and the communities that lived here, among pieces of incalculable value through which we can understand rituals, habits, and ways of thinking.

Highlights include the Manueline Window (Manueline is a Portuguese architecture late Gothic style from de 16th century, a period marked by the Portuguese Renaissance and the Age of Discoveries), the medal of D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, the Tomb of King D. Fernando, and the Tomb of D. Maria Ana of Austria, but it is also possible to see two mummies and a sarcophagus (with a corpse). The Passion Steps Tile Panel, before the multimedia room, is fascinating.

This is a visit to the past right in the center of Lisbon. In fact, we risk saying that a visit to Lisbon is not complete without a visit to the Carmo Archaeological Museum.

Cool Tip: Throughout the year, various events take place at the Ruins of the Carmo Convent, ranging from open-air cinema sessions, theater plays, and concerts. Keep an eye on the schedule, so you can enjoy one of these unique moments!