Visit Carmo Convent, Lisbon
If you are planning to visit the Carmo Convent and Carmo Archaeological museum in Lisbon, here is everything you need to know.
Visit
We find the Carmo Archaeological Museum in the ruins of Santa Maria do Carmo Convent. Building of the church started in 1389, and it was considered one of Lisbon’s most beautiful churches. The church got destroyed by the 1755 earthquake.
The Carmo Archaeological Museum has used the church as a museum since1864. The intention was to hold an exhibition of important sculptures from old and ruined buildings and from the old church itself.
If you fancy an uphill walk, it is very nice to walk up to the convent by foot. It is possible to take the Santa Justa lift, as it is located directly behind the church. It is better to walk up to the church and after taking the lift down to avoid the long ques that are on the ground. The price for taking the lift is the same going up as it is going down.
Carmo Convent History
Nuno Álvares Pereira commissioned the church in 1389. He was the lord High Constable of the Kingdom and built the church to give thanks for the protection during his battles against the Castilians. They would finish construction of the church in 1423.
The church had original five buttresses on each side. Today you can see the one that is left, on the south side, which you will pass thru when you come from the Santa Justa lift.
The interior of Carmo Convent
The entrance is accessed by stairs on a little square, and you walk thru the church’s west portal. You can pay at the desk, and if you have the Lisbon card, you show it and you get 20% off.
The nave is completely without a ceiling, which creates a beautiful scene with the remaining arches. The central nave measures 24.64m and the two side naves is 18.7m high.
The Carmo Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is at the back of the church, in 5 rooms. The church’s chancel had both the side walls and vaulting rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Here the ceiling measures 15,4m.
On the sides of the chancel are four apse chapels, which still have its original vaulting. The museum holds an exhibition of important sculptures from old buildings and pieces from the church itself. The collection contains valuable historical and archaeological artifacts from pre-history to current times.
It is a nice display with readable signs, one room containing a library, portraits of the Museums founders and an Egyptian mummy. The first room houses pieces as early as Neolithic times.
The Sacristy is today used as an Auditorium, and you can come in here to watch a movie, in Portuguese and English, that is projected against the wall.
Accessibility and facilities
After the entrance, there is an access platform for reduced mobility, along with a WC, WC for reduced mobility and baby-changing facilities. In the transept, there is a small shop with some souvenirs and guidebooks, some in English.
Public transport
By Lift: Elevador de Santa Justa
By Tram: No 28 (Chiado)
By Bus: No 758
By Train: Rossio Station
By Underground: Baixa-Chiado station
Tickets
Adult 5,00€, Student 4,00€
over 65 with ID 4,00€
Lisbon Card 4,00€
Children 0-14 years old enters for free
Opening times
Monday to Saturday
October to April: 10am to 6pm, may to September 10am to 7pm.
Closed on Sundays and 1st January, 1st May and 25th December.