National Ceramic Tile Museum, National ceramic tile museum in Penha de França, Portugal
The National Ceramic Tile Museum displays ceramic tiles and decorative pieces in a former convent from the 16th century, with collections spanning from medieval to modern works. The exhibitions are arranged across multiple galleries and provide a thorough overview of Portuguese tile art and its varied uses in building facades and interior spaces.
The complex was founded in 1509 when Queen Leonor established a convent that was later repurposed as a museum and gained national status in 1980. The conversion allowed the valuable ceramic collection to be preserved and made accessible to the public.
The collection shows the evolution of Portuguese tile craftsmanship from Gothic times to the present day, revealing regional styles and artistic signatures. Visitors can observe how patterns and techniques changed across centuries and what role tiles held in shaping Portuguese buildings and spaces.
The building sits in a well-connected neighborhood and the galleries are laid out so you can easily move from one exhibition to the next. The staircases and corridors are wide enough to navigate without crowding, especially during quieter times of day.
The museum houses a large panoramic tile panel depicting Lisbon before the devastating earthquake of 1755, preserving a rare visual record of the city before this disaster. This work is among the most treasured pieces in the entire collection.
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