We enjoyed this museum, especially its exhibits of royal barges in the spacious hangar-like annex, the Galeotas Pavilion, that is just across the courtyard from the main museum in the west wing of the Jeronimos complex. As you enter the west wing you notice the monastery’s stained glass windows on your right. On the furthermost wall facing the entering visitor is an impressive colorful planisphere executed by the museum staff that depicts the Portuguese empire at the height of its maritime power- from Brazil to Macao. Pride of place among exhibits within goes to the wooden Archangel Raphael figure that da Gama took with him on his momentous voyage. This chronological collection advances from the Age of the Discoveries through the period of Indian colonies and onwards through the centuries up to World War I with little added during the second world war when Portugal was neutral but a hotbed for spies on all sides. We were particularly interested in the Oriental exhibits and the collections of navigational instruments and old maps..
Bypassing the collection of modern Portuguese naval uniforms we exhibited into the courtyard and followed the walkway to the Galeotas Pavilion noting the old boats along it as well as the sculpted artifacts located in the square here. Our immediate reaction on entering the Pavilion was that of unexpected surprise at the degree to which some of the old royal barges have been restored to former magnificent state
Glittering gold and red, Queen Maria I’s barge (1780) just dazzles with its opulence and 74 oars. Sea Monsters, sufficiently ugly and terrifying to warrant that classification, adorn the prow and stern of this splendiferous sight. Here you can see the sumptuous royal yacht Amelia in which its namesake the queen and her younger surviving son (husband and older son had been assassinated in 1908) had escaped to England via Gibraltar in 1910. The reconstructions with furniture of the cabins of King Carlos I and Amelia display the luxury the two monarchs enjoyed while Portugal was experiencing severe financial difficulties that eventually led to assassination and later overthrow of the monarchy in 1910. Restoration of these artifacts is ongoing; see the photo of restorer’s equipment we saw on our visit.
Here is the seaplane in which two Portuguese aviators completed the first South Atlantic air transit between Portugal and Brazil in 1922. The Pavilion is aptly suited for displays of a sundry and often fascinating collection of old seagoing vessels attesting to the Portuguese commitment to discovery and exploration.
Afterwards we had lunch in their pretty café that has good food, both hot and cold, reasonably priced, to compliment its bar that was extraordinarily well-stocked with wines and other alcoholic spirits galore. (See Photo). 213 620 019
Mid-June-end Sep: Tue-Sun 10-6. Early Oct.- mid-June: Tue-Sun 10-5. Closed Public Holidays.