MAAT – Art, architecture and technology by the river

MAAT stands for Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology and it is the most recent Lisbon museum.

It all started with the renovation of what used to be the Museum of Electricity, an impressive power station from the industrial period by the river Tejo, owned by EDP Foundation.

But this ambitious project aimed much higher and right next to the old building a new bold building was constructed.

The two buildings combined are now the new MAAT museum and it opened its doors on October 5^th.

Besides admiring the large art collection of EDP Foundation, at MAAT one can visit several architecture and technology related exhibitions such as the inaugural “The World of Charles and Ray Eames”.

The museum will host around 15 exhibitions per year and it is expected to attract something like 250.000 visitors annually, that surely will come for the museum itself but will stay for the fantastic view.

Located in Belém’s area, MAAT has a privileged view over the river Tejo, Ponte 25 de Abril, the opposite bank and also Ajuda neighbourhood namely its beautiful palace.

The new building was designed by british architect Amanda Levete and her team and it was inspired by the Portuguese ceramic and Portugal’s traditional mosaic paving. Levete chose white tiles to capture and reflect the light and the end product is amazing since it enables the building to almost change colors depending on the light or the time of the day.

The campus, as the space where the museum stands, will only be fully finished in March 2017 but it already is a popular choice among lisboners.

 

MAAT – Museum da Arte, Arquitectura e Tecnologia

> Av. Brasília

> Open from 12h to 20h, everyday of the week except Tuesdays.

> Until March 2017 the admission to the new building is free. Admission to the old building costs € 5. On the first Sunday of every monthe admission to both buildings is free.

> Insider tip: try to catch the sun going down over the river, behind the old building. It is one of the best spots in Lisbon to watch the sunset.