Lisbon Museum Unveils Hidden Stories of the City in New Exhibition

A new exhibition at the Museu de Lisboa is revealing the "city as we don't see it," showcasing over a hundred pieces, most of which were previously stored in the museum's reserves and never displayed to the public.

Highlights of the Exhibition:

• "Crónicas de uma Lisboa desconhecida" (Chronicles of an Unknown Lisbon) takes visitors on a journey through twelve stops, each telling unique stories of Lisbon from the late 18th century to the 1980s.
• 95% of the exhibited items were hidden in the museum's reserves, making this a fresh experience even for regular visitors.
• The exhibition features unusual, strange, and even amusing stories about Lisbon, offering a glimpse into the city's modern and contemporary history.

Notable Discoveries:

• The exhibition starts at Terreiro do Paço, highlighting lesser-known tales like the worm fishing photographed by António Rafael in 1972.
• It reveals that the Arms of Belém, once thought to belong to the autonomous municipality in the 19th century, are actually the Arms of Lisbon.
• A special focus is given to the Chiado's azulejo panel by Jorge Barradas, damaged in the 1988 fire, and the first Feira Popular in Avenidas Novas.

Hidden Figures of Lisbon: The exhibition also shines a light on lesser-known personalities like the aeronaut Vicenzo Lunardi, poet Carolina Coronado, and the first female museum director, Julieta Ferrão. Even famous figures like Amália Rodrigues and Carlos Paredes are presented through aspects of their lives that are not widely known.

A Dual Journey: Curator Paulo Almeida Fernandes describes the exhibition as a "doubly unknown journey"—both for the unseen artifacts and the unfamiliar stories they tell. The exhibition also provided an opportunity to restore and study items that had been neglected.

Practical Information:

• The exhibition is held at the Pavilhão Preto do Palácio Pimenta and runs until March 22, 2026.
• A parallel program includes thematic visits, workshops for families, and sessions dedicated to chronicles of Lisbon.