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
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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.
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.
Waiting to enter at 10am...
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 :
- 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.
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.
Seeing those arches without the roof is quite impressive.
The construction of the building is neutral but you can see a few carved decors:
This is the view from the entrance of the inside museum looking back towards the entrance:
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 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.
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...
You can also discover older archeological pieces and tools from the Bronze age and later.
It is a small museum with a big variety of pieces... no time to get bored!
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
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