Popular Art Museum — Attraction in Lisbon

The Museum of Popular Art is a strange building because it was part of the 1940 Exposição do Mundo Português (Portuguese World Expo), a propagandist event showcasing Portuguese dominance in the world. There’s a mock-up in one of the rooms of how the expo grounds looked. For Portuguese, and Lisboans in particular, talking about the Salazar-headed dictatorship (1933-1974) is tricky. Most people want to forget about it and move on with their lives, but the fact is it happened, and people have to acknowledge it happened, otherwise History could repeat itself. The building housing the museum is from “those days” and so is treated with a certain ambivalence by the older crowd. However, the younger generation at this museum were so enthusiastic about the art on display - a touring MC Escher exhibition - that I felt revitalised. They all spoke excellent English and were a credit to the Portuguese education system. Escher was an amazing drawer and his early pictures of holidays in southern Italy were so well executed that I wanted to visit those places the following day. The small Calabrian villages were depicted nestling amongst giant stones and slabs of rock. All Escher’s famous works bending reality were there and I spent ages in the gift shop working out what I could fit into...

I recently spent a peaceful afternoon at the Museu de Arte Popular in Lisbon and was pleasantly surprised by its charm and cultural depth. Located along the Tagus River in the Belém district, this museum is dedicated to Portuguese folk art and traditions, capturing the essence of regional creativity and daily life. Originally created for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition, the building itself has a unique architectural style that reflects a blend of modernism and traditional design. Inside, the exhibits showcase vibrant textiles, ceramics, masks, embroidery, and everyday objects that highlight the customs and crafts from various regions of Portugal. The museum provides insight into the spirit of Portuguese people, especially through items related to festivals, agriculture, and local legends. It is a quiet and affordable place to visit, making it ideal for those who enjoy discovering cultural roots without the hustle of more tourist-heavy spots. While there is no café on the premises, its location near the river and other attractions makes it easy to combine with a walk or a meal in the area. This museum is a lovely stop for anyone wanting a more intimate and authentic view of...

We stumbled upon this museum while being touristy, along with thousands of others, on the waterfront. We were very lucky to find the basketry show was still on, lucky because though neither of us had given much thought or interest to baskets, we have seen a huge number of exhibitions, and this one is brilliantly presented and organized, with baskets from all over Portugal, tools, materials, videos, explanations, English signage as well as Portuguese. We now have a newly found interest in basketry.

It’s frustrating though that so few people are likely to see and appreciate all the thought that has gone into this show. We stayed at least an hour and only one other couple came through. From the outside, the museum looked completely dark and closed, with grass growing up between the cobblestones. The only entrance looked more like a minor, side entrance.

The staff were fine, not unwelcoming as another reviewer experienced. Someone needs to publicize the place a whole...