National Tile Museum

The museum houses an historic collection of Portuguese azulejo from the late-15th century to the present day, and its mission is to preserve this expression of the Portuguese cultural identity. It is situated at the former Madre de Deus Convent founded by the Royal House in 1509 and subsequently kept under Royal patronage. Such context substantiates the superior quality of the architecture and art projects implemented in the complex. Today, the museum showcases a full lexicon of bygone exceptional architecture and decorative arts: the small late-Gothic cloister; the great Renaissance cloister attributed to Diogo de Torralva; the bare church from 1550 that during the 17th and 18th centuries received Baroque artworks in gold-leave woodcarving, tile panelling and painting. The church’s modest scale and the austere architecture contrast with the ostentation and luxury of the Baroque elements. This disparity exudes a restrained atmosphere that enhances the artistic elements. The church is currently listed as a national monument.