National Theatre and Dance Museum

Welcome to the Museu Nacional do Teatro e da Dança, Portugal’s primary archive for the history and memory of the performing arts. We are standing in the Lumiar district of Lisbon, in a setting that is as historic as the…

As we begin our exploration of the theater galleries, we must pay tribute to one of the most significant figures in Portuguese cultural history: Almeida Garrett. Garrett was the founder of the National Theater and the…

One of the most visually stunning parts of the museum is the Costume and Accessories Gallery. Here, the ephemeral glamour of the stage is made tangible. …

The museum’s dedication to dance is exemplified by its collection related to the Ballets Russes. This legendary company, led by Sergei Diaghilev, revolutionized the world of dance in the early 20th century, and their visit to…

On the upper floor of the museum, we find a delightful and historically significant collection of puppets. Puppetry has a long and rich tradition in Portugal, often serving as a popular and accessible form of theater. …

The museum also pays significant attention to the world of opera, showcasing the grandeur and technical complexity of this art form. You can see elaborate costumes from some of Portugal's most famous operatic productions, as well…

As our tour of the Museu Nacional do Teatro e da Dança concludes, I hope you have been inspired by the incredible breadth and depth of Portugal's performing arts history. From the aristocratic halls of the Monteiro Mor Palace to…

Our exploration of the wings and wardrobes of Portuguese history is at an end. As you exit through the palace grounds, the silence of the garden may seem a fitting coda to the vibrant, noisy history we've just traversed. …