Lisbon - Museum of Ethnography

(Local Name: Museu Etnográfico) The Museum of Ethnography is attached to the Geographical Society (Sociedade de Geografia). This was founded in 1875 and moved into its present accommodation in 1907. The building in the Rua das Portas de Santo Antao contains conference rooms, several fine old halls and a specialist library. Statues of the most important people in Portuguese history stand in the spacious entrance hall.

The somewhat antiquated Museu Etnográfico on one of the upper floors was founded in 1892. A guided tour includes the opportunity to look at exhibits from overseas which document Portugal's era of colonialism. Tools, weapons, textiles, masks, wooden carvings, old toys and ceramics can be seen in show cases arranged according to their country of origin. Of interest is a wooden statue of Anthony, who was held in Angola to have magic powers, in direct contrast to the importance which St Anthony has for Lisbon. Also included among the exhibition pieces is a chair belonging to Pedro V (1855-91), king of the Congo.

The old rooms in which the collection is housed are also very impressive: the large hall (Sala de Portugal) with its beautiful gallery, which is also used for conferences and concerts, and several smaller halls (Sala Algarve, Sala Padroes, Sala da India), which have recently been partly renovated.