Three Houses in Lisbon, Portugal

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My recent trip to Lisbon happened to take place at a time when most of the city’s major museums were simultaneously closed for renovations. While I missed the chance to see them, I took full advantage of the opportunity to visit some of Lisbon’s smaller, lesser known, but fascinating offerings. Today, I will take you on a tour of three homes, representing the lives of some of Lisbon’s prominent citizens.



Museu Casa Dr. Anastasio Gonçalves



 

In 1905, Portuguese artist José Malhoa (1855-1933) moved into his newly built home and studio, an art nouveau house in the Avenidas Novas neighborhood. Malhoa was a leading painter in the naturalist style, and his success allowed to commission a very nice house.


Portrait of Dr. Gonçalves by José Molhoa


Malhoa sold the home in 1919, after the death of his wife. It passed through several owners until it was bought by Dr. Anastasio Gonçalves (1888-1965) in 1932. Gonçalves was an ophthalmologist, and a collector of artwork. Given the history of his house, it is not surprising that Malhoa became an artist of interest for him. On his death, Gonçalves gave his home and collection to the government of Portugal to create a museum. In 1997 a visitors entrance, along with a shop and a gallery for temporary exhibits was added.







Today, the museum contains around 3000 works of art and design. These include paintings by Portuguese artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, Chinese porcelain, and period furniture. All together this museum represents a fascinating look at the life of someone who was high earning professional in Lisbon.






Museu Medeiros e Almedia   


 


Antonio de Medeiros e Almeida (1895-1986) was a Portuguese businessman and industrialist. His family made its money on their sugar and alcohol farm and business in the Azore Islands. Antonio got his start in 1926 by opening one of the first businesses in Portugal that imported automobiles, in this case Morris cars from England. He also worked with the company to create a better suspension system to deal with the cobblestone streets of Portugal. 


Portrait of Antonio de Medeiros e Almeidas by Henrique Medina


In 1941, he was part of a consortium that created air service between Lisbon and the Azores, and then bought Aero Portuguesa in 1948, which provided flights to North Africa. In 1953 Aero Portuguesa merged with TAP, and Antonio remained on the board of Directors and served as Chairman until 1960. 






In 1943, Medeiros e Almeida and his wife Margarida (1898-1971) bought a mansion on the edge of the Central Lisbon neighborhood. With no children, the couple spent their lives collection artworks and decorative pieces to fill their home. After Maria died, Antonio started to make plans for these pieces. In 1968, he built an expansion to his house, over its garden, giving it more space to display his collection. In 1973, he established a private foundation to convert his home into a museum, and to run it in perpetuity. When he died, his estate provided the financial backing to run the museum, including income sources from a rental property next door.





Tower of Belem by John Clevely


Portrait of an Old Man by Giovani Tiepolo


The museum contains room upon room of mostly decorative pieces. Statuettes, clocks, tapestries and furniture fill its space. Each room is decorated around a central theme. It is an amazing collection of pieces that cover such of modern European history.









The Payment of the Tithes by Peter Brueghel the Younger




Amália Rodrigues House



Amália Rodrigues (1920-1999) was one of Portugal’s preeminent singers of fado. She toured the world, but lived in this relatively modest 18th century row house in the São Bento neighborhood, near the country’s Parliament. 


 

The main apartment has been left/restored to the way it was at the end of Rodrigues’ life. The first floor was her public space. Here was her salon, where she would entertain guests. The second floor was Amália’s private space. Her bedroom, and closets, along with a library and displays for her many awards and memorials. All of the things that were important to her.







The ground floor has been converted to a public space. In addition to the museum entrance, there is a small cafe along with a garden that is used for weekly fado concerts.







Sometimes you arrive at your destination, and the thing you planned to do is not open. When that happens don’t get upset. Instead look for those other opportunities to see smaller, off the beaten path, places. They are waiting, with a whole lot to offer.

Nuts and Bolts


  • Museu-Casa Dr. Anastasio Gonçalves is located at Av. 5th de Outubro 6. It is open Tues - Sun 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 6:00PM. Entrance fees are €5 adults/ €2.50 seniors and students
  • Museu Medeiros e Almeida is located at Rosa Araüjo 41. It is open Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Entrance fees are €8 adults/ €6 seniors and students
  • Casa Amália Rodrigues is located at Rus São Bento 193. It is open Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Entrance fees are €9 adults/ €7 seniors/ €4.5 students   
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

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