ZigZag On Earth

Detailed Travel Guides by a Travel Planning Geek

Follow Us!

Follow Us on PinterestFollow Us on FacebookFollow Us on RSS
  • EUROPE TRAVEL GUIDES
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • FRANCE
    • GERMANY
    • ICELAND
    • PORTUGAL
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF THE WORLD
    • AUSTRALIA
    • GUADELOUPE
    • JORDAN
    • KYRGYZSTAN
    • MOROCCO
    • NAMIBIA
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • CITY BREAKS
  • EBOOKS
  • TIPS
  • LATEST
  • ABOUT
    • PRINTS

Carmo Convent Lisbon Portugal – Photos -Video- Planning Tips

By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

The Carmo Convent Lisbon is an essential stop on a Lisbon visit, as it one of the main remaining ruins standing after the 1755 Earthquake. This medieval convent is now the home of the Carmo archeological museum with a wide variety of pieces to discover.

Information to plan your visit at the end of the article

Church Ruins of Carmo Convent Lisbon Portugal Travel
Share0
Share +10
Tweet0
Pin0

Navigate back to the complete Travel Portugal Guide


Carmo Convent from the Outside

One of the best views of what remains of the Carmo Convent Lisbon is from the Santa Justa Lift viewing platform. 

If you take the elevator from downtown and climb to the top you can see on one side amazing views of Lisbon and looking towards the back you discover the ruins of the Carmo church, the only still standing walls and arches of the convent.

Carmo Convent view from Santa Justa Lift

The entrance to the ruins and the museum are from the small and charming Largo do Carmo place with a nice fountain in the middle.

Largo do Carmo place Lisbon

Waiting to enter at 10am...

Entrance door Carmo archeological museum

Carmo Convent Lisbon History & Facts

Before I give you a few facts, let's note that the Carmo Convent church in Lisbon should not be mixed with the Igreja do Carmo church in Porto. It is another famous church but quite different.

In the museum is a replica of what the church, Igreja do Carmo Lisbon,  used to look like before the earthquake :

igreja do carmo lisbon
  • the Carmo convent was built during the end of the 14th century and the 15th century
  • Founded in 1389 for the Carmelite Order
  • It has a plain gothic style with a Latin Cross plan
  • It was the home of a large library with roughly 5000 books
  • Most was destroyed during the big 1755 Earthquake
  • It was for a while a military Stronghold
  • Given to the Association of archeologists in mid 19th century and turned into a museum

More info on the Wikipedia Page.

​

igreja do carmo lisbon 2

Inside the Carmo Church Lisbon

Upon entering, you first discover the nave of the church. The roof has been left open in memory of the earthquake. Some of the arches were repaired.

It is quite an emotional place to the symbol it has become.

Ruins of Carmo Church Lisbon 1

Seeing those arches without the roof is quite impressive.

Ruins of Carmo Church Lisbon 2

The construction of the building is neutral but you can see a few carved decors:

Ruins of Carmo Church Lisbon 3
Ruins of Carmo Church Lisbon 4

This is the view from the entrance of the inside museum looking back towards the entrance:

Ruins of Carmo Church Lisbon 5

Inside the Carmo Church

After the open air part, you can enter the section which still has a roof.

​

This apse has a main chapel and four side chapels. There is a nice play of light inside with the tall walls and various windows.

Carmo Convent Lisbon inside museum 1
Carmo Convent Lisbon inside museum 2

Carmo Archaeological museum

The Church of the Carmo Convent Lisbon are now the home of the Carmo Archeological museum (Museu Arqueológico do Carmo).

Outside are fountains and structural pieces and stone art.

Inside you can find tombs with intricate carving work. The most famous if the one of King Ferdinand I.

​

Carmo Archaeological museum 1

Some book are still in display to remind of the huge collection which was lost during the big earthquake.

They have a very wide variety of pieces, with, for example, an Egyptian mummy...​

Carmo Archaeological museum 2

You can also discover older archeological pieces and tools from the Bronze age and later.

Carmo Archaeological museum 3

It is a small museum with a big variety of pieces... no time to get bored!

Carmo Archaeological museum 4

Carmo Convent Lisbon in Video

Now let's discover the ruins of the Carmo Convent and the archeological museum in a short video from my visit:


INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Carmo Convent Lisbon

TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS

How to get to the Carmo Convent Lisbon

  • At the top of the Santa Justa Lift
  • Entrance on Praça Largo do Carmo
  • In the Chiado area of Lisbon

Visiting the Carmo Archeological Museum

  • Carmo Convent opening hours - Monday to Saturday - 10am to 6pm (Oct to May) - 10am to 7pm (June to Sept) (latest info here)
  • Carmo Convent price - 4€ per adults
  • A few steps inside
  • Facilities inside
  • No photography with tripod

Want to see more of PORTUGAL?

Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Portugal Destination Guide.

PREVIOUS: 

BELEM TOWER LISBON

NEXT: 

ALGARVE THINGS TO DO

Portugal Travel Guide - Portugal destinations

​


YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Praia da Marinha Beach Algarve Portugal – Photos – Video – Access – Info
Read More 
Praia do Camilo Beach Lagos Portugal – Photos, Video, Planning Info
Read More 
Sintra Castle of the Moors Portugal – Photos, Video, Planning Tips
Read More 

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search my ZigZags

 Pinterest Facebook RSS

Hi! I am Claire

ZigZag On Earth photo

I am the Travel Planning Geek behind the ZigZag Travel Guides. My goal is to provide you with clear and practical information to help you plan unforgettable trips! Read more

ZigZag On Earth photo
gifts for travelers

Discover the eBooks

Experience Iceland

Ring Road Guide Iceland

Scotland Travel Guide

Edinburgh Skye Travel Guide

Portugal Travel Guide

Lisbonne Sintra Algarve Travel Guide

Slovenia Travel Guide

Oman Travel Guide

Popular posts on ZZOE

  • Best time to visit Iceland – northern lights, puffins, weather…
  • Iceland Itinerary – Best options for 4 days, 1 week or 10 days (with photos)
  • Best spots to view and photograph the Eiffel Tower
  • Best spots to photograph Neuschwanstein Castle Germany (with pictures)
  • 35+ Best Day Trips from Paris France – Guide + Map + Tips

ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Search

logo ZigZag On Earth

Privacy / Disclosure Policies
Terms of use

Copyright © 2018 ZigZag On Earth · Log in

If you continue browsing this site we assume you agree with the use of cookies in this website.OkRead more