The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is considered to be one of the greatest museums in the world, one which anyone with even a passing interest in art should consider a must see attraction whilst visiting Lisbon. The museum has recently undergone some renovation and redecoration, making it much more easily accessible to a wider range of audiences.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum houses the impressive collection of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The collection contains many forms of international art including Asian, Islamic, Roman, Greek and Egyptian. The collection on display is one of the finest in the world, and was collected over decades by Calouste Gulbenkian, one of the richest men of the 20th century, an oil tycoon with a passion for art. Upon his death in 1986, he left all of his collected treasures to Portugal, the land of his birth.

Highlights of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

When it comes to discussing the highlights of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, there really are so many amazing exhibits to choose from. However, here are the must see parts of the museum:

The Egyptian section houses some truly remarkable exhibits. These include an original mummy mask in gold, a 2,700 year old bowl carved from alabaster and several bronze cat statues.

The Greek and Roman section houses a 2,400 year old Attic vase and a large collection of Hellenic coins. Whilst in the Asian section there are some splendid examples of Chinese porcelain as well as Persian tapestries dated from the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

The largest section of the museum is given over to European art. A quantity of the exhibits on display were originally displayed in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, they are now housed in the museum. Many valuable paintings by Monet, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Renoir and other lesser known artists are on display. These vie for attention alongside classic French furniture and textiles.

When it comes to statues and carvings, some of the most valuable works in Europe can be found inside the European section of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. These include a famous marble statue of Diana, which was crafted by the French sculpture Jean Antoine Houdom. Other notable works are crafted from silver, bronze and wood.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum for Families
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is not particularly suitable for families with small children. There are some art exhibits which may interest older children. Generally the museum is a quiet place, and small children although not discouraged from visiting, will need to be kept well in hand.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum Opening Times
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is open from Tuesday through to Sunday from 10am until 5:45pm.
Getting to the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is located at:
Avenida de Berna
45A
Uptown

There are two metro stations close by, the São Sebastião Station and the Praça de Espanha Station. Several tram stops are also close by. The museum is also clearly marked on all local tourist maps.