Lisbon announced the addition of a cultural gem to its vibrant landscape with the grand opening of the Interpretive Centre “Almada’s Murals in the Maritime Stations,” a stunning tribute to Portugal’s most iconic modernist artist, Almada Negreiros. For the first time ever, the public can access the largest and most significant collection of 20th-century mural paintings in Portugal, showcased in their original historic setting.
Inaugurated on the artist’s birthday, the center brings new life to the Alcântara and Rocha do Conde de Óbidos Maritime Stations—architectural masterpieces from the 1940s that once welcomed passengers from around the world. These two majestic port buildings now serve as portals into both Lisbon’s maritime legacy and Negreieros’ visionary art.
Located on the ground floor of the Alcântara Maritime Station, the immersive Interpretive Centre features nine exhibition rooms that trace the history of Lisbon’s maritime stations, their role in key 20th-century events—including World War II, emigration, and the Colonial War—and the creative process behind Almada Negreiros’ iconic murals. The rooms showcase:
- “Cais,” “Passagens,” “Partidas,” and “Chegadas” illustrating the history of the construction of the maritime stations, as well as the passage of some historical events through them, such as the Second World War, emigration, the Colonial War and the subsequent decolonization and return of the Portuguese from the former colonies.
- “O que contam as paredes,” “História mural,” and “Diz que disse,” which are dedicated to the mural paintings in both maritime stations, the whole creative process behind them and Almada’s interviews and statements during and after their completion.
- “Almada em Lisboa” and “Almada Negreiros, artista,” spotlighting key moments in the artist’s life and career, while also guiding visitors to significant locations across Lisbon where his works can still be seen today.
On the first floor of each station, visitors can view the murals via a self-paced audio-guided tour, offered daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is €5 ($5.48), with free entry for Lisboa Card holders. For added charm and convenience, a complimentary shuttle—modeled after original 1940s luggage trolleys—transports guests between the two maritime stations, which are located just 800 meters apart.
The €3.5 million project was brought to life and funded by the Lisbon Tourism Association, Turismo de Portugal through the Casino Lisboa Works Plan, along with the Regional Tourism Authority of the Lisbon Region.
The center’s design and curation were led by Mariana Pinto dos Santos, an art historian, independent curator, and lecturer at the NOVA Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, as well as a researcher at the NOVA FCSH Art History Institute and the IN2PAST Laboratory.
The initiative was also developed in close collaboration with the artist’s granddaughters, Rita Almada Negreiros and Catarina Almada Negreiros, along with contributions from the Almada Negreiros Study and Documentation Centre – Sarah Affonso (NOVA FCSH), the HERCULES Laboratory, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and other cultural institutions.
The Interpretive Centre “Almada’s Murals in the Maritime Stations” is more than an exhibition, it’s an invitation to rediscover Lisbon through the eyes of one of its greatest artists – a highlight of your next trip to Lisbon.
