Lisbon and Sintra
A national tile museum, a factory founded in 1741 that offers booked visits, and a factory shop in Sintra.
What we have checked
- Fábrica Sant’Anna began in 1741 as a small pottery in western Lisbon and made azulejos for rebuilding the city after the 1755 earthquake. Source
- Viúva Lamego was founded in 1849. Since 1992 its factory, factory shop and showroom have been in Abrunheira, Sintra. Source
- The Museu Nacional do Azulejo was created in 1965 and became a national museum in 1980. It occupies the Convento da Madre de Deus, founded in 1509 by Queen D. Leonor. Source
- Lisbon Metro commissioned tilework for its stations between 1957 and 1982. Maria Keil’s Intendente station (opened 28 September 1966) is called the most notable of all. Source
Read the essay: After the earthquake: a royal factory and the pattern tile →
What to look for
New tiles and hand-painted panels from the working factories; the factory shops are the simplest way to buy.
Where to see it
- Museu Nacional do Azulejo (Lisboa)
- Fábrica Sant’Anna (Lisboa)
- Viúva Lamego (Sintra (Abrunheira))
- Metro de Lisboa, estação Intendente (Lisboa)
Plates
