Museu Nacional de Etnologia — Attraction in Lisbon

The museum displays and exhibits are PHENOMENAL! Everything is beautifully presented. There is a plethora of candid, culturally enlightening information shared. The unbiased impartiality of the information that accompanies the displays - especially the current upstairs exhibit - is priceless. Displays = 5*+ 😊 However, the grounds are not well kept. The lawn needed to be mowed. Vines were growing on the building, and weeds were coming through the concrete. We actually thought it was closed until we saw the security guard standing near the front door. We visited several museums and sites in Portugal. This was the only one with unkempt grounds. Grounds = 2* 😔 Ironically, my husband and I experienced racism as soon as we entered the museum. We had Lisboa cards, which include museum entry. The security guard showed us where the machine was to register with our cards. When the receptionist saw us, she immediately told us we must put our bag in a locker downstairs, which is totally understandable. It was a small, leather tote with our scarves and my cloth hat inside. It wasn't a big bag at all; yet I understand us having to place it in a locker. When my husband came back upstairs, she then scowled at me and told me I must put my crossbody bag, which is not big, in the locker, too. However, she tells my husband that his crossbody is okay to keep on. Our crossbody bags are about the same size; not big. Of course, my husband smiled and went back downstairs and put both of our crossbody bags in the locker with our other leather bag. It's all good and understood. The problem and blatant racial profiling were obvious, though, when we saw every white / European person visiting the museum had bags - backpacks, book bags, purses much larger than our crossbody bags - on with them while they were viewing the displays upstairs and downstairs. Two young white ladies even had a large purse AND a book bag. Blatant racial profiling! I'm not sure if the receptionist was oblivious to the museum's message or if it infuriated or convicted her, but she seemingly has an issue with darker skinned people. Customer Service = 1* 😢 Regardless of the receptionist's racist antics, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Even if you go to no other museum, go to this one, especially if you want to know, understand, and accept the reality of...

Exploring the Museu Nacional de Etnologia in Lisbon was an enriching experience that offered a deep dive into the diverse cultures and traditions from around the world. Located in the Restelo district, this museum houses an impressive collection of over 42,000 objects representing 80 countries across five continents, with a particular emphasis on cultures from Africa, Asia, and South America, as well as traditional Portuguese heritage

The museum's origins trace back to 1965 when it was established as the Museu de Etnologia do Ultramar. In 1976, it moved to its current building, designed by architect António Saragga Seabra, and later expanded in 2000 under architect Eduardo Trigo de Sousa to include new galleries and a surrounding garden . The permanent exhibition, "The Museum, Many Things," showcases artifacts like the Balinese shadow theatre Wayang Kulit, puppets and masks from Mali, and traditional Portuguese musical instruments, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of global cultures

Admission is reasonably priced, making it accessible for those interested in anthropology and cultural studies. The museum also features temporary exhibitions that delve into topics like colonialism and its impacts, encouraging thoughtful reflection on historical narratives. While the museum doesn't have an on-site café, its location near other attractions in Belém means there are plenty of dining options nearby. Overall, the Museu Nacional de Etnologia offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking journey through human culture and history, making it a must-visit for...

A little jewel off the beaten tourist track but well worth the trip.The displays have loads of African and Portuguese exhibits that I have not seen in other places.I especially liked the African masks and the Angolan lids for pots where the top is carved to represent a proverb- cooking meeting common wisdom! They have a section covering the Amazon which can be seen by appointment and for groups bigger than 5. The video looked enticing so I will try and schedule a visit. Loved that they have an energy saving system where lights switch on/off as you move between areas,an innovation that I think many more museums should use, sustainability should cover all types of buildings after all. Definitely a good 2 hours spent...