Palace
Mostly acquired at national and international auctions, the collection on display is of great artistic unity and coherence. It is the achievement of the will and tenacity of a man whose mission was to ‘recover’ pieces of Portuguese heritage, leading him to become one of the great collectors of the 20th century.
To visit the Museum is to embark on a journey through the Decorative Arts from the 15th to the 18th century and across various thematic sections: Furniture, Textiles, Silverwork, Chinese Porcelain, Portuguese Faïence and Tiles, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Binding, etc.
Azurara Palace
Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva bought the 16th-century Azurara Palace in order to install part of his private collection there. The palace was restored as an aristocratic house in the 16th-century style with the collaboration of architect Raul Lino. It constitutes an exceptional museum space where the pieces exhibited acquire great heritage and scenographic value.
Articulated over several rooms, the Museum of Portuguese Decorative Arts offers a refined exhibition route that facilitates the discovery of each piece, cultivating taste and sensitivity through the visitor’s proximity to the artistic works.