Carmo Terraces
Today's tour takes us to the Terraços do Carmo, the Ruins of the Carmo Convent and the Archaeological Museum in Lisbon. All close to the mythical Largo do Carmo.
The Great Chiado Fire
It's impossible to talk about the Terraços do Carmo without mentioning the fire that destroyed Chiado in 1988. It was 30 years ago that Lisbon woke up to a black cloud of smoke.
Chiado was on fire! I was 12 years old at the time, and I remember that day perfectly and how we followed the situation on television. It was an event that marked me, and until recently I couldn't separate Chiado from it.
What are the Carmo Terraces?
After the fire, the Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan for the burnt-out Chiado area was created. Architect Álvaro Siza Vieira was in charge of the project. This plan was implemented gradually over the years. The connection between Rua Garrett and the ruins of the Carmo Convent has yet to be completed.
The Carmo Terraces provide the missing link between Rua Garrett and the ruins of the Carmo Convent. They are part of the recovery and rehabilitation plan for the burnt-out area of Chiado. They were inaugurated on June 10, 2015.
This intervention overcomes the existing unevenness. And a public leisure space has been created on the terraces of the Carmo Convent. Restaurants such as Top Chiado. Or go up to the Miradouro do Carmo (also known as Miradouro de Santa Justa) and enjoy the wonderful view over Lisbon. The Santa Justa elevator is a wonderful construction by Gustav Eiffel.
The Carmo Viewpoint (or Santa Justa Viewpoint)
A tip for those who want to visit the Miradouro but don't want to take the Santa Justa elevator. You can visit via the Terraços do Carmo, and thus avoid the huge queue (which can last between 1h30 and 2 hours). The ticket for the Miradouro alone costs €1.50 (the elevator ride costs €6). So if you go to the Miradouro via the Carmo Terraces, you'll save time and money.
And both the ascent and the descent are made by narrow spiral staircases, one only for the ascent and the other only for the descent. If you suffer from vertigo, I wouldn't recommend it. But if you can overcome your vertigo, the view is truly breathtaking. Of course, I'm suspicious, because as you already know, I love to enjoy spectacular views.
Ruins of the Carmo Convent and Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum
The Carmo Archaeological Museum is located in the ruins of the Carmo Convent in Lisbon and is also the headquarters of the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists.
At the Museu Arqueológico do Carmo you can find pieces of historical, archaeological and artistic value. It includes artifacts and works from prehistoric to contemporary times.
Ruins of the Carmo Convent
The Igreja do Convento do Carmo was once the capital's main Gothic church, competing with the Lisbon Cathedral in terms of its grandeur and monumentality. It was ruined by the 1755 earthquake and has not been rebuilt, and is one of the main testimonies of the catastrophe still visible in the city.
Do you know the popular expression "Carmo and Trindade fall"? It's possible that the ruin of the Carmo convent and its neighboring Trindade convent during the earthquake is the origin of this popular expression, which means a catastrophe. (Often used as irony).
The Ruins of the Carmo Convent have also been the stage for some shows. For example Lisbon Under Stars.
I'll leave you with the video of the tour. If you don't know it yet, visit my YouTube channel where you'll find all the videos of the tours and trips.
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Did you know about these spaces? Let us know in the comments.
I hope you enjoyed it, have a nice walk and see you next time.
Useful information
Carmo Archaeological Museum
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Saturday:
October to May: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
June to September: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Closed:
On Sundays, January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
TICKET
Adult Ticket
4,00€
Student ticket*
3,00€
Senior Ticket*
3,00€
(Age 65 or over)
Lisbon Card ticket*
3,20€
Children's ticket*
Free of charge
(Ages 14 and under**)
Group Tickets
3,00€
(For groups of more than 30 people)
Reduced Mobility Ticket
3,20€
* Upon documentary evidence
** Must be accompanied by an adult
GUIDED TOURS /
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE
Guided Tour
5,50€
Senior Guided Tour
4,00€
Student Guided Tour
4,00€
School Activity
3,50€
School Passport Activity
2,00€
For more information visit the Museum's website:
http://www.museuarqueologicodocarmo.pt/info.html
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Glad you liked it Giulia 🙂
I loved the photos and the video! What a beautiful view!!! I've written down the tip for when I go!
Come along Simone, you'll be very welcome 🙂
It's always an option 🙂
How nice 🙂
Hi Samuel, you need to come to Lisbon for a few days and explore the city, you'll be surprised 🙂 Thanks for your comment
Hi Samuel, you need to come to Lisbon for a few days and explore the city, you'll be surprised 🙂 Thanks for your comment
I really enjoyed your post. What a beautiful trip! I'm discovering so many of Portugal's charms from the stories of friends and posts by fellow bloggers that I'm tempted to visit this enchanting country very soon!
Portugal really does have some incredible places that are unknown to me. Every day I feel more and more like getting to know the country. Thanks for the post.
I have to confess: I'm not a big fan of Lisbon. Whenever I go there I try to like it, but it seems to lack soul. This viewpoint will be included in my next visit, perhaps this summer. The last time I went there I noticed those works above Rua do Carmo, but I didn't know where they were going. I think I'm going to like it. In May I landed in Lisbon late in the afternoon and I fell in love with what I saw: Lisbon from the air is beautiful, with its red roofs and walls where yellow and white predominate.
Thanks for the tips, I've been to the Terraço do Carmo, but I've never visited the Archaeological Museum.
Thanks Douglas 🙂
Excellent article, I liked the tips! The view looks very beautiful, Lisbon is a fantastic city indeed, full of things to see! Thanks for the tips!
The view really is spectacular 🙂
What a beautiful place. I'm a big fan of Álvaro Siza's work, and I love visiting his works around the world. When I go back to Portugal, I'll definitely include a visit to Terraços do Carmo. Hugs,Fran @ViagensqueSonhamos
It really is 🙂 that's why the idea of the blog is to get to know our city better 😉 Kisses
I'll keep an eye out 🙂
The closer we get, the more we forget! I've visited Lisbon so many times and I've never been here! And what an interesting place with a beautiful view. I'll bookmark it for my next visit to the capital 😀
I also like it very much, this and the viewpoint of the Rua Augusta arch are my favorites
As touristy as it is, this is still one of my favorite places in the center of Lisbon! I love the Carmo Convent!
Yes, from time to time the Banda da GNR and the Orchestra and choir of the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos give concerts there, for example.
I had no idea you could watch concerts in the ruins, thanks for the tip 😉
Our Lisbon has fantastic panoramic views and this is one of my favorites. It's wonderful to attend concerts in the ruins of Carmo, it takes us back to the time of old Lisbon.
Yes, Luciana, if you have vertigo it's better not to risk it, but the view really is breathtaking. Thank you and love
I was already very excited about taking the stairs and avoiding the elevator queue, until I read that it's not good for vertigo sufferers like me! (laughs). A great tip that I'll put into practice when I return to Lisbon. Cheers 🙂
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Dear Sonia,The symbolism is not always very clear, and will be reviewed this winter, but I think the symbol of the ban at the entrance represents a camera with a tripod and flash. Thank you for your observations, and for spreading the word about this museum and other attractions in this beautiful city.
Thank you very much for the clarification, as the door has the symbols prohibiting filming or photography, I had the idea that it would be prohibited even for personal use.
I would like to clarify that at the Museu Arqueológico do Carmo, as in most museums around the world, you cannot photograph or film with a tripod or flash, nor use images of the museum space or collection for commercial purposes without prior authorization from the management, but visitors can photograph or film freely for personal use.