Occupying the premises of the former Convent of Madre de Deus, Portugal's National Tile Museum depicts the country's rich past and true artistic heritage. It tells the story behind an ancient ceramic activity that was absorbed and reinvented by the Portuguese over the last five centuries. The convent was founded by Queen Leonor in the 16th century.

A visit to the museum clarifies the distinction between tile work, in general, and that which is genuinely a Portuguese invention or innovation. In Portugal, the use of tiles was different from how it was understood by other cultures, that is, over time, the Portuguese came up with their own style and approach. It's fair to say that Portugal has reinvented the tile in its own way!

In the 15th and 16th centuries, tiles initially came from Spain and covered privileged Portuguese walls with a Hispano-Moorish aesthetic. This Islamic look, therefore, is Portugal's first major reference while embracing tiles. Gradually, over the centuries, European motifs dominated the scene with plenty of plant and animal elements as well as Gothic and Renaissance inspirations. In Portugal, tiles transcended a mere ornamental condition and reached the status of an artistic and cultural expression, also starting to narrate stories.

The museum is a 20 minute walk from the Santa Apolonia metro and train stations, on the banks of the Tagus river, in the port area of Lisbon.