Lisbon Military Museum (Museu Militar de Lisboa)
Rua Museu da Artilharia 51, Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal, 1100-366
For anyone interested in military affairs and warfare, Lisbon Military Museum (Museu Militar de Lisboa) is truly a sight to behold. Set in lavish baroque rooms with beautifully decorated ceilings, the city’s oldest museum houses an impressive collection of 100-year-old artifacts, such as artillery pieces, swords, cannons, pistols, and guns.
The Basics
A walk through the 16th-century Lisbon Military Museum (Museu Militar de Lisboa) complex, formerly the royal arsenal, leads to rooms with objects from Napoleon’s invasions and World War I—and even the sword of famous Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. The museum also holds a few pieces from wars with the Spanish and the French. The courtyard is decorated with intricate Portuguese tile work depicting famous battle scenes.
Things to Know Before You Go
Lisbon Military Museum (Museu Militar de Lisboa) is a must for fans of military history, arms and armory, and the baroque style.
Lisboa Card holders receive discounted admission.
Be sure not to miss the Vasco da Gama and World War I rooms.
How to Get There
Lisbon Military Museum (Museu Militar de Lisboa) is in Lisbon’s waterfront Alfama district, accessible by the blue metro line at the Santa Apolonia stop. A number of city buses run to this area, including numbers 706, 712, 734, and 728.
When to Get There
The museum is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday except for on public holidays. Arrive early for a crowd-free experience.
Lisbon’s Hidden Gem
Tourists often overlook the Military Museum, which is hidden in plain sight in the Alfama district. Run by the Portuguese military, this museum is a step back in time through Portugal’s long and tumultuous history. You can see every type of military relic here, displayed in beautiful baroque rooms with frescoes and gilded frames: armor, swords, cannons, wagons, ship ornamentation, busts, paintings, and military documents.
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