Lisbon Attractions

Venue: Museu de Marinha    When: Daily; not Mon

With much of Portugal's historical wealth and glory stemming from its seafaring accomplishments, it's little wonder that the nation's Naval Museum (Museu de Marinha) should house a valuable collection depicting maritime transport through the ages.

The museum looks out over the port of Belém, the place from which great sailors such as Vasco de Gama set forth to discover new territories. Inside there are models and vessels from early fishing boats to recent royal barges. Statues and exhibits from the Salazar government demonstrate the dictator's glorification of the Portuguese naval heritage, along with a library and photo library.

The museum also boasts a famous neighbour, the Monastery of Jeronimos, in which Vasco de Gama is buried.