On a recent trip I had one of those strange travel days. I had arrived in Lisbon after an overnight flight from the U.S., and I was leaving the next morning for Malta. So, what to do on my one afternoon, without stressing my jet-lag too much? Luckily, I was staying in the Avenidas Novas neighborhood, and the Gulbenkian Foundation was a short walk away.
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was founded in 1956 in the estate of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869-1955) for the promotion of the arts, science, education and philanthropy. It houses one of the largest private art collections in Europe, and supports the Gulbenkian Orchestra and the Gulbenkian Science Institute. The Institute sits in a beautiful park, and houses two art museums. The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian is home to its collection of art that ranges from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome to the 20th century. Unfortunately, that museum was undergoing renovations during my visit.
This gave me the opportunity to visit the second museum in the park, the Gulbenkian Centro de Arte Moderna (CAM). The CAM (Center for Modern Art) opened in 1983, and is dedicated to contemporary Portuguese artists. Its home is a building that was designed by Japanese architect Kenji Kama, and built in 2024. It features a large covered “porch” and its shape blends in with the park around it.
The museum has two large galleries, along with an area called a lab and two smaller galleries. The main gallery on its lower level had an exhibition of artwork from the museum’s main collection. Above, the main ground floor gallery has a towering ceiling, and windows that open it visually into the surrounding park.
CAM is a beautiful place to see great modern and contemporary art. It is definitely worth a visit.
Nuts and Bolts
Gulbenkian CAM is located at Rue Marquês de Fronteira 2.
It is open Wed – Mon 10:00AM – 6:00PM (9:00 PM on Sat)
Tickets are €12 for access to the museum and to its temporary exhibits. There is a 10% discount for seniors and a 25% discount for students. The entry is free on Saturdays after 6: PM.
