Where: Lisbon, Portugal
When: August 23, 2012
With: Dave
The perfect activity to get out of the mid-day sun in Lisbon is to take a visit to one of its museums. We only had the chance to go to one, but it was a really unique one because as the title of this entry indicates, it's more of a personal collection than a traditional museum.
We chose to go to Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. It was a little out from the central part of Lisbon, but it was easy to get there via quick and fascinating cab ride with a driver who had been a fairly well known TV personality in Portugal before recent budget cuts cost him his job.
As you continue through the museum you see tapestries from Medieval Europe, antique furniture from 17th century France, and at least one painting from each of the famous Renaissance artists.
While I didn't see any other Lisbon museums, I have to think this was the most impressive. The mix was enough to keep even the most novice art fan entertained, but it was arranged in a way that you could appreciate the breadth of the collection. An excellent way to see a different side of what Lisbon has to offer.
When: August 23, 2012
With: Dave
The perfect activity to get out of the mid-day sun in Lisbon is to take a visit to one of its museums. We only had the chance to go to one, but it was a really unique one because as the title of this entry indicates, it's more of a personal collection than a traditional museum.
We chose to go to Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. It was a little out from the central part of Lisbon, but it was easy to get there via quick and fascinating cab ride with a driver who had been a fairly well known TV personality in Portugal before recent budget cuts cost him his job.
Calouste Gulbenkian was an Armenian businessman who focused on oil and petroleum. He played a big part in the development of the industry in the early part of the 20th century, and was a major shareholder and founder of what is now known as Shell. After World War II, he settled in Lisbon with his gigantic collection that he acquired over several years. After his death in 1955, he willed that his collection be made into a museum.
Now, his collection is arranged in chronological order around a large, square building. Wandering through the gigantic rooms to see Turkish rugs from the Ottoman empire, coins from ancient Rome and Greece, and Egyptian statues, it's staggering to see just how much stuff he had. And that was just in the first wing.
As you continue through the museum you see tapestries from Medieval Europe, antique furniture from 17th century France, and at least one painting from each of the famous Renaissance artists.
While I didn't see any other Lisbon museums, I have to think this was the most impressive. The mix was enough to keep even the most novice art fan entertained, but it was arranged in a way that you could appreciate the breadth of the collection. An excellent way to see a different side of what Lisbon has to offer.
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