National Theatre and Dance Museum, National museum of performing arts in Lumiar, Portugal
The National Theatre and Dance Museum is a performing arts museum in Lumiar near Lisbon, housed in an 18th-century baroque palace. The collection includes stage costumes, props, scenery, figurines, and thousands of photographs documenting Portuguese theater and dance over many decades.
The museum was established in 1985 within the Monteiro-Mor Palace, an 18th-century building that had to be restored and modified for its new purpose. This conversion allowed a historic structure to find a new life as a center for preserving theater and dance heritage.
The museum tells the story of Portuguese theater and dance through exhibitions that celebrate both famous and lesser-known artists. You can see how performances shaped the country's cultural identity over time and how people engaged with these art forms.
The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday, with free entry available for younger visitors and Portuguese residents at certain times. Check opening hours ahead of your visit to plan your time, as crowds tend to be lighter on weekday mornings.
The museum holds one of the largest photography archives of Portuguese theater and dance, with around 120 thousand images spanning many decades. These photographs capture not only famous productions but also overlooked moments that shaped the performing arts in the country.
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