Orient Museum
Lisbon in Asia. Asia in Lisbon.
Housed in a former warehouse, Lisbon's Orient Museum is dedicated to Asian art with a special emphasis on the Portuguese presence in the East.
Opened in 2008, it was the result of 30 million euros of investment for the conversion of the building, which maintained the façade.
The collection belongs to Portugal's Orient Foundation and includes Indo-Portuguese pieces, Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesian ceramics, textiles,
furnishings, paintings, and masks.
One of the rooms is dedicated to the former Portuguese colonies in the East, recalling the days when Portugal was the world's mercantile
power dominating the spice routes. It shows the resulting Catholic Asia and multicultural Asian society, with rare crucifixes, ornaments,
and antiques, as well as unique maps and charts from the first colonial days.
A particularly strong collection is found in the Gods of Asia section, a selection from the vast Kwok On collection that was donated to
the Orient Foundation, including Hindu and Buddhist pieces.
In addition to being a museum, this is also a cultural center, with a program of live shows in its auditorium and an education center offering
courses in Asian cooking and culture.
Asian food is served at the restaurant located on the top floor, and there is also a café on the lower level, and a shop by the entrance.
Where: Avenida Brasília, Doca de Alcântara
How: Tram 15
When: 10AM-6PM (Closed Tuesdays); 10AM-10PM on Fridays
What: www.museudooriente.pt
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Ancient Art Museum - Fascinating Oriental and European art.
25
de Abril Bridge - Golden Gate's twin sister.
Docas - Attractive dock area with cosmopolitan
bars and restaurants.
