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Portugal's Maritime History Museum

Museu de Marinha, Lisbon, Portugal

Models of Fishing Boats at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Portugal // Lisbon Portugal· museums & galleries Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

I first visited the Maritime Museum about 12 years ago. Aside from some updating some of the exhibits that you see when you first enter and a shiny new gift shop, very little has changed. It’s still housed in two stylistically clashing buildings, and many of the exhibits and showcases haven’t been touched over half a century (the museum opened in the early 1960s). But with Portugal’s deep and rich maritime history, it can’t help but be fascinating.

At the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries, Portuguese mariners helped transform the home country to one of the richest and strongest in the known world. It was the result of two related discoveries. One was the exploration of Africa’s west coast as a byproduct of trying to find a way around the continent and then across to India and Central Asia. When Vasco da Gama landed in Calcutta 1498, it marked the opening of Europe-India trade routes that introduced en masse the flavors and spices to Europe and the wealth that came with it. Da Gama is a national hero in Portugal, and one of the brightest lights, along with Henry the Navigator and Manuel I, of Portugal’s Age of Discovery.

An accident of swinging out west to catch favorable winds to ride past the bottom of Africa, Portuguese mariners also landed on the east coast of South America. That eventually led to the colonization of what became Brazil.

The combination of spices from the exclusive trade routes to India and gold pillaged from Brazil, Portugal, for a while, became a powerhouse of Europe.

The Museum

The entrance to the museum is in the same building as the Jeronimos Monastery, with the ticket office under two impressive church spires. The location isn’t an accident. This was the chapel built by Henry the Navigator as a dedicated church for the voyagers to take mass before setting sail. Not accidentally, it’s just steps from the shoreline.

As you step into the museum, the first exhibits are newly redone. They focus on the Age of Discovery, from its prelude to peak. Not only did the known world expand during this period, but it fueled ship technology as the mariners required newer, better, faster, and more efficient ships and navigation tools.

Scale models show the impossibly small and cramped boats that the mariners used in this period, while maps and navigational instruments illustrate the navigation and mapping innovations of the era. What you won’t see is any real mention of the brutality that accompanied the establishment and protection of the trade routes.

As you move deeper into the museum, you’ll see plenty of impressive scale models illustrating the evolution of Portuguese ships and watercraft, decorated royal chambers, and ships’ cannons.

Barges and Sea Planes

In an attached warehouse-like building is a collection of royal barges, fishing boats, recreational boats, and seaplanes. The grandest of them, dominating the center of the massive room, is the Royal Barge built in 1780 for Maria I.

You can wander around and under the vessels or head up onto an elevated walkway in the middle for an overhead view.

Photos of the Museu de Marinha

Henry the Navigator Statue at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Square-Rigged Caravel Model at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Main Entrance at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Model Sailing Ships at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Afonso de Albuquerque Model at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Royal Barge at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Barge Hall at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Carlitos at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Seaplane Exhibit at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Estuary Boat at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

abo Branco Model at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Age of Disoveries Map at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Royal Barge at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Model Ships at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

2-Masted Caravel Model at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

Royal Barge at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal

I have more photos of Lisbon's Museu de Marinha here.

What to Know Before You Go

  • The entrance is at the opposite end from the entrance to the Jeronimos Monastery.
  • If you’re a fan of things maritime, the gift shop has some fun items. There is a very basic cafe next to it.
  • And if you're into scale models of ships you'll be in heaven--they have an incredible collection.

More to Explore:

  • World War I Exhibit at Military Museum in Lisbon Portugal
    Lisbon’s Military Museum
  • King Jose I in Praca do Comercio in Lisbon Portugal with Full Moon
    Lisbon's Royal Town Square
  • National Pantheon in Lisbon Portugal
    The Luminaries of Portuguese History and Culture
  • Graffiti in Lisbon Portugal
    Lisbon's Graffiti
  • Seafaring Culture Exhibit at the Maritime Museum of Denmark
    Maritime Museum of Denmark
  • Istanbul Naval Museum
    Istanbul Naval Museum
  • Historic Prison at the Maritime Museum of Ushuaia Argentina
    Ushuaia's Maritime Museum


Travel Advice for Portugal

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Portugal (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Portugal here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Portugal here.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.


Location: Lisbon
Country: Portugal
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.69779400
      Longitude: -9.20808419

      # Lisbon Portugal
      # museums & galleries



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
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