The museum is housed in a former convent
Housed in an 18th-century convent since 2001, this museum takes you to a fantasy world through a wonderful collection of puppets from around the globe.
The collection is beautifully presented in dark rooms where only the displays are lit
There are centuries-old pieces and more recent creations, like wood string puppets from Mandalay, Chinese glove puppets, Sicilian opera marionettes, and other examples from Indonesia, Thailand, Germany, the Czech Republic, and other Asian and European countries, before a room with those made in Portugal.
The first room presents puppets from different Asian countries
In total, there are over 1000 marionettes, all beautifully displayed in well-lit dark rooms. They lead to the former convent’s cloisters, where there’s the museum’s café and shop.
Most of the marionettes are from Europe and Asia
More than an exhibition space, this is also a stage for puppet shows for children of all ages and other events.
The cloister in the back has the museum's café and shop
How to Get to the Marionette Museum
Tram 25 on weekdays and bus 774 on weekends, which depart from Praça da Figueira downtown, stop down the street, on Rua São João da Mata, in front of the Church of Santos-o-Velho. Bus 714, which also departs from Praça da Figueira, also stops a few feet from that church.
You may ride the tram and the buses (as well as the city’s metro, funiculars and trains) for free with the Lisboa Card.
Rua da Esperança, 146, Madragoa
www.museudamarioneta.pt
Admission and Tickets to the Marionette Museum
Tickets are €5.00 for those over the age of 25, and €2.50 for those between the ages of 13 and 25. It’s free for children up to the age of 12. There’s a 20% discount with the Lisboa Card.
It's closed on Mondays
Attractions Nearby
The Ancient Art Museum is about a 10-minute walk away.
