Fado is everywhere in Lisbon, from the Museum to the City
Fado is music that comes from the heart. Many people find themselves in it.
Lisbon is the home of this Portuguese genre and it is where you will find the Fado Museum, celebrating Fado’s role as an identifying symbol of the city, its deep roots in the traditions and history of Portugal, its role in the affirmation of a cultural identity and the importance of Fado as source of inspiration and intercultural exchange between people and communities.
The permanent exhibition in the Fado Museum is a tribute to Fado and its scholars, explaining its history since the 19th century Lisbon.
Best Experience Lisbon invites you to visit both the Museum and its surroundings. In the Museum you will get to know the history of Fado since the beginning, from the 19th century to the present day; the main channels of distribution of the urban music – theatre, radio, cinema and television – the history and technical evolution of the Portuguese guitar, as well as the life and work of dozens of important personalities in the Fado universe.
Apart from objects linked to this music genre (instruments, trophies, records, music scores), you will also find the famous painting “O Fado”, by José Malhoa, as well as the work of Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, Constantino Fernandes, Cândido da Costa Pinto, João Vieira, Júlio Pomar, among other Portuguese artists. There is also a museum school and a documentation centre, as well as gift shop and auditorium.
José Frade – EGEAC
José Frade – EGEAC
José Frade – EGEAC
José Frade – EGEAC
Its location allows you to quickly get to Mouraria, the neighbourhood considered to be the birthplace of Fado, , and it is close to Alfama too, another historic neighbourhood of our city, with strong ties to Fado.
This music genre calls for an itinerary that would begin, according to the Museum, at Mouraria and the House of Fernando Maurício (renowned Fado singer), pass by the guitar makers and finally the Amália Rodrigues Foundation, the house where the great Fado diva lived.
All around you will find interesting spots to visit, such as the Casa dos Bicos – now renamed José Saramago Foundation, not far from the Fado Museum; Lisbon´s Cathedral and numerous viewpoints, such as Portas do Sol and Miradouro da Graça, for example, where every Tuesday takes place a Flea Market, where anyone can sell all kinds of objects from precious antiques to second hand objects.
There are several Fado Houses in Mouraria and Alfama, some close to the Museum, others up the hills of Lisbon, where you can have dinner while listening to Fado music, live.
These can be unforgettable moments, planed by Best Experience Lisbon according to personal preferences and available time, so that you can get a deep knowledge of Fado, unique in the world and born in Lisbon.
