MILITARY MUSEUM
A testament to Portugal's battles
Located on the site of a 16th-century shipyard, this museum has an artillery
collection that is said to be the world's biggest, and extensive displays of
guns, pistols and swords, including 14th century cannon and Vasco da Gama's
sword.
Some of the rooms have rich Baroque decoration, large spreads of tiles
portraying battle scenes, and paintings on military themes. The first two
rooms on the right of the main staircase are devoted to the Napoleonic
invasions, the Vasco da Gama Room has murals depicting the discovery of the
sea route to India, and the first floor displays World War I exhibits.
In
the Portuguese artillery section is the wagon used to transport the
triumphal arch to
Comercio Square, and outside is a large courtyard flanked
by cannons telling the story of Portugal in tiled panels, from the Christian
Reconquest to World War I.
Get reduced admission to the museum and ride Lisbon's metro, buses, and trams for FREE with the Lisboa Card.
How to Visit
Where: Largo do Museu da Artilharia, Alfama
How: Metro - Santa Apolonia station
When: 10AM-5PM (Closed Sundays and Mondays)
Sights Nearby
Doca do
Jardim do Tabaco - Sleek restaurants and club on the waterfront.
The
National Pantheon - The domed church that took centuries to complete.
Casa
dos Bicos - A 16th century architectural curiosity.
Fado
Museum - The story of the national music.
The Tile
Museum - An ancient art form in a lavish old convent.
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