Located in the center of Lisbon, Portugal, the newly opened MACAM museum provides an exclusive dive into the realm of modern art and includes a luxurious five-star hotel within its premises.
The newly established Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins (MACAM) has recently welcomed visitors for its inaugural opening.
in Lisbon
On March 22nd, the privately-owned collection of Armando Martins, an entrepreneur with a passion for art, forms the core of this museum. It showcases artwork not only from Portugal but also from around the globe. Situated within an 18th-century building,
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The century-old palace, refurbished for the event, now includes a luxurious five-star hotel within its walls.
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An 18
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-a century-old palace at the center of Lisbon
MACAM was conceived by Armando Martins. In 2007, this businessman and art enthusiast purchased the majestic Palácio dos Condos da Ribeira Grande, an impressive structure.
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The aim was to showcase his remarkable collection by establishing a purpose-built museum in a century-old structure in Lisbon, alongside incorporating an integrated hotel to secure the initiative’s ongoing financial sustainability.
Out of the site’s total area of 13,000 square meters, approximately 2,000 square meters are allocated for exhibition purposes. The different areas are connected through a modern extension, whose facade features three-dimensional tiles crafted by artist Maria Ana Vasco Costa. Meanwhile, the historical structure was meticulously refurbished by the Portuguese architectural firm MetroUrbe, ensuring both its conservation and restoration.
A remarkable assembly of modern art
Within, MACAM’s collection spans over a hundred years of Portuguese artistic evolution, starting with the naturalism movement of the late 19th century.
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century to the experimentation of the 1980s. Major artists from every period are represented: José Malhoa, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, Almada Negreiros, Vieira da Silva, Júlio Pomar, Paula Rego, Pedro Cabrita Reis and Helena Almeida.
Highlights include
Música Surda
(1914-15) by Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso,
Maio de 68
(1968) by Vieira da Silva and
The Batik Cotton Artwork #1
(2007) by Pedro Cabrita Reis.
The collection includes pieces from around the world by artists such as Marina Abramovic, Olafur Eliasson, Thomas Ruff, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Ernesto Neto, Vik Muniz, and John Baldessari. Additionally, two galleries feature regularly updated temporary exhibits designed to enhance the experience of the permanent display.
It serves as both a museum and a hotel.
A five-star hotel with 64 rooms has been integrated so that visitors can extend their experience, a rare feature in museums. This concept, “the first of its kind in Portugal and Europe” according to organisers, aims to blur the boundaries between culture and daily life.
The website also features a restaurant, a cafeteria, an auditorium, and a deconsecrated space from 18th century.
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The century chapel will be transformed into a “Live Arts Bar,” scheduled to host various cultural events, music performances, poetry readings, and literary gatherings throughout the year.
MACAM – Museum of Contemporary Art Armando Martins
R. da Junqueira 66, 1300-343 Lisbon, Portugal
macam.pt
