Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Museu Nacional do Azulejo means a national tile museum in English. The museum is located in the Madre de Deus Convent and was established in 1509. Its holdings enable a tour through the history of tile, from the 15th century to this day. The ancient Madre de Deus Convent, built in 1509 by Queen D. Leonor, is now home to Museu Nacional do Azulejo, one of the most significant national museums due to the rarity of its collection of Azulejo (tile). This artistic style distinguishes Portuguese culture. Through its exhibitions, one may travel through tile history from the 15th century to the present. In addition, the Madre de Deus church, a part of the convent, is embellished with gilded and carved wood, paintings, and tile panels in full Portuguese baroque splendor.

How to explore Museu Nacional do Azulejo?

- Collections which is a must-see

Azulejos, ornamental ceramic tiles, date from the second half of the 15th century to the present day and are included in the museum collection. It contains 19th and 20th-century ceramics, porcelain, and faience along with tiles. The exposition of the tools and processes used to make tiles is the first in the permanent exhibition. The exhibition path then proceeds in chronological sequence.

- Permanent Exhibitions

The museum's permanent display, which chronicles Portugal's tile legacy from the 16th century to the present, is housed in the former monastic quarters. This display also includes the church, the chapels of Saint Anthony and Queen Leonor, and the choir.

- Temporary Exhibitions

The Art of Tiles in Portugal in 2000, Me and the museum in 2016, and From the Shadows of Kyoto to the Light of Lisbon in 2017 are just a few of the exhibitions that have been on display in the museum for a certain amount of time.

- Other Notable things to look out for in the museum

 The altarpiece of 'Our Lady of Life,' regarded as one of the earliest tile artworks, is one of the highlights. It was built around 1580 for a church that originally existed close to the castle and required 1498 tiles. It uses shading to give the appearance of depth and depicts the birth of Jesus.The mysterious panel from 1665, known as 'The Chicken's Wedding,' is also fascinating. Unknown to what it signifies, it shows a chicken in a carriage, the only animal in the artwork (all other figures are monkeys). It most likely had a satirical function, making fun of human beings' primal inclinations by using monkeys as props. For example, the chicken might stand in for a queen.