Museums and Palaces

A site museum located in the historic area of the city, the Museu de Lisboa - Teatro Romano (Museum of Lisbon - Roman Theatre) reveals one of the most important monuments of Felicitas Iulia Olisipo: its theatre built in the 1st century AD, discovered in 1798 during the reconstruction of the city after the earthquake of 1755.

While the long-term exhibition aims to cover all the historical periods documented at the site, it’s the Roman era that bears the greatest number of elements. The 3D models of the monument’s reconstruction are of note, as well as the architectural features, ceramics, and sculptures. he artefacts on display were found in various archaeological excavations from 1964 to the present day. The large number of gathered objects demonstrate the intense economic relations between the city of Olisipo and other regions of the Roman Empire.

In addition to the assemblages from the Roman period, there are several other objects from previous eras, such as ceramic materials from the Iron Age (4th and 3rd centuries BC) and from the medieval and modern times, illustrating the intense human occupation of the area.

The site’s information on the city before the 1755 earthquake is equally relevant. 

Under the museum’s reception, it was possible to identify the remains of a 17th century household and a small path, both of which can be visited within the museum.

The temporary exhibitions held in the space not only dialogue with the monument but, in direct coexistence with the long-term exhibition, revealing the rich heritage of the area surrounding the Roman Theatre and the different stories of its evolution over time. 

In addition to its exhibition activity, the Museu de Lisboa - Teatro Romano also celebrates the richness of the city’s Roman heritage, offering different programmes of lectures, guided visits, concerts, commemorations of specific Roman festivities and, during July, hosting classical theatre on the oldest stage in the country in a celebration of its original function for over 2000 years.