Convento do Carmo and Archaeological Museum

Perched atop one of Lisbon's seven hills in the Chiado district, the Convento do Carmo stands as a powerful memorial to the catastrophic earthquake of November 1, 1755. Founded in 1389 by Constable D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, this was once one of Lisbon's largest and most magnificent churches, home to the Order of Carmelites. The earthquake struck during All Saints Day mass, bringing down the roof and vaults, killing countless worshippers inside. The subsequent tsunami and fires devastated what remained. Rather than rebuild, Lisbon's leaders chose to preserve the ruins as a poignant reminder of the disaster—creating one of Europe's most atmospheric historic sites. Today, visitors walk beneath soaring Gothic arches open to the sky, experiencing the church much as it appeared in the days following the catastrophe. The nave, with its pointed arches reaching heavenward without a roof to cap them, creates an almost surreal architectural experience where interior meets exterior. In 1864, the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists established the Carmo Archaeological Museum within the ruins, making it Portugal's first archaeological museum. The collection includes Roman remains, Visigothic pillars, medieval tombs, pre-Columbian artifacts, Egyptian mummies, and azulejo panels. The museum's eclectic collection reflects 19th-century archaeological curiosity, displaying everything from Portuguese historical artifacts to exotic pieces from distant lands. The site also holds historical significance from the 1974 Carnation Revolution, when it served as the last refuge of dictator Marcelo Caetano before he surrendered, marking the end of the Estado Novo regime.