Fado Museum: Expansion and Renovation planned for 2025
The iconic Fado Museum, located in the historic Alfama neighborhood in Lisbon, is preparing for an ambitious expansion and renovation project. Scheduled for 2025, the initiative aims to revitalize this space dedicated to Fado, a Portuguese cultural expression recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Inaugurated in 1998, the Fado Museum is one of the main symbols of Portuguese cultural identity. The expansion was announced by Egeac/Lisboa Cultura, the entity responsible for its management, and aims to bring a new dimension to this museological space.
The project, designed by Atelier Santa-Rita Architects, includes increasing the exhibition area, creating new spaces for the conservation of collections, and expanding areas dedicated to educational activities. Additionally, the outdoor spaces will be adapted to host regular concerts, while the ticket office and shop will also undergo renovations.
Culture as a strategic priority
Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, highlighted the relevance of this project. “Culture is a central pillar for Lisbon, and the renewal of museological heritage is essential to bring culture closer to Lisbon residents and our visitors,” he stated.
Pedro Moreira, Chairman of the Board of Egeac, emphasized that this intervention is an opportunity to strengthen the museum’s role: “With nearly three decades of history, the Fado Museum is now taking a new step in its evolutionary journey.”
A Heritage with international recognition
Since its inauguration, the Fado Museum has become a reference point for the dissemination and preservation of Fado. In 2011, the musical genre achieved a historic milestone with its inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, following a candidacy led by the Lisbon City Council in partnership with the Fado Museum and the artistic community.
Over more than 20 years, the Fado Museum has not only preserved the memory of this tradition but also innovated in its approach. Exhibitions, concerts, international festivals, a Fado school, guitar-making workshops, an online archive of historical recordings, and a documentation center are just some of the initiatives developed over the years.
With this renovation, the Fado Museum reaffirms its commitment to preserving and promoting one of Portugal’s greatest cultural treasures, ensuring that this art continues to captivate future generations.