A sobering and powerful experience. This site has been a prison for hundreds of years now converted to a museum. It memorializes the struggle that the colonies of Portugal went through for their independence and the struggle of the Portuguese themselves to overthrow their Dictator. I think for most this is a very little discussed topic and I for one was enlightened to the incredible hardships the people of this country faced from the 30s to the 70s. The exhibits all feature English translation so it's very easy to follow and learn. They have very well done professional multimedia experiences and exhibits that help bring this story to life. A change from all the medieval and enlightenment age history of the churches palaces and monasteries around this area to more modern events. I highly recommend taking the hour and half or so required to walk through the 4 floors in this incredible building.

This museum is a great place to get a glimpse of Portugal's history of the past 100 years. Over three floors, it explains the political major events from the establishment of the dictatorship to the end of its colony war and the countrys transition to democracy. It's right next to the cathedral and definitely worth a visit.

An extraordinary museum that I visited with my students and that far exceeded my expectations! An extremely informative guided tour that made all the difference! I highly recommend it!

The museum has 3 levels that accounts the history of Portugal’s dictatorship. Although there is a lot of reading, I highly recommend checking it out. Entrance fee is €3 and is free for students and professionals in liberal arts (journalism, teaching, etc.). You will definitely leaving with new knowledge and a deeper understanding of Portugal.

Great museum! I highly recommend, even if the story line is sometimes difficult if you’re not familiar with Portugal’s history. Great documents and pictures, good mix of text/images/videos. Nuanced and smart content.

A look into beautiful Portugals' ugly past. The political prisoners' cells, that bloody phone ringing, the atrocities. Thankfully, they provided a sanctuary on the top floor to recover before leaving.

This museum makes the complicated and difficult history of Portugal's fascist dictatorship (1926-68) accessible and engaging, even to English-speakers. One of my favorite museums anywhere. Thankyou!

Heavy on the pictorial timeline depicting the rise and fall of Salazar and the man's affect on daily life in Portugal. It's didacticism, at least in the English translation, was annoying. Rather than discuss the forces that brought Salazar to power, it's simply focused on the regime's crimes. The takeawayfrom this was that Salazar was bad and socialism is good. The exhibition tried to avoid giving the regime any legitimacy; however, we must know why this man rose to power within the context of his time so that history won't repeat itself. Think of our current times. We're told over and over again that one man is bad. But there were certainly forces that brought him to power. Discover the true meaning of those forces, not the leftist view that was constructed to obfuscate and shame, and you have the solution. Rather disappointed by the endless drivel here.

This is an actual former prison for political imprisoners during the dictatorship. Amazing museum. I ve learned so many things of Portugal's history. There was also an exhibition on Portuguese women and their fight. Totally recommend

My wife happened to stumble upon this museum when we were in Lisbon in 2018. It is exceptionally well done. Highly recommended for anyone interested in history or in human rights.

(Translated by Google) A museum cannot be a political manifesto. There is too much scattered and tedious information. Some data is handled incorrectly. The temporary exposure was boring because of the amount of information it intended to convey. But the visit route is well organized, which should put more emphasis on what the prison was and what they were there for and why. It is also worth the view of Lisbon from the top floor. It could be much better if you focus more on history and less on politics (Original) Um museu não pode ser um manifesto político. Há demasiada informação dispersa e fastidiosa. Há alguns dados incorrectamente tratados. A exposição temporária era maçadora pela quantidade de informação que pretendia transmitir. Mas está bem organizado o percurso de visita que deveria dar mais ênfase ao que era a prisão e ao que ali estiveram e porquê. Vale também pela vista de Lisboa no último andar. Podia ser bem melhor, se focarem mais a história e menos a politica

(Translated by Google) Museum very well documented about the period of the new state on April 25, 1974. (Original) Museu muito bem documentado sobre o periodo do estado novo ao 25 de abril de 1974.

An important piece of Portugal's history only glossed over on tours. A thoroughly well spent time. That said a little draining emotionally but reminds us that hope can prevail.

Brilliant little museum about the Carnation revolution in Portugal. It used to be a prison of the regime and had now gained renewed life through education.

Modern, interesting and well made. Even if not everything is translated, you get a great impression of old Portugal. You can stay here for a long time. Well done and recommended! And there wasn't much going on here either. So take a look and continue your education. Great museum!

Really interesting museum. Amazing what we are not taught in other countries, UK in my case.

I don't know much Portuguese but this Museum left a real sorrow and respect in my heart. You don't need to know much to feel human suffering.

A really comprehensive introduction to Portugal in the 20th century. They had a fantastic temporary exhibition on the ground floor about LGBTQ* history. The other floors detailed the oppression faced by the Portuguese people (and those in its colonies) under the fascist regime, until the revolution in the early 1970s. We didn't know any of the history before visiting, and much of the main exhibition relied on reading lengthy paragraphs of text. Some of the translations into English were hard to understand, and might have benefited from being looked over by a native English speaker. However we are tourists so I don't expect everyone to cater to us, and we still had an interesting and educational visit. The use of photographs, video, sound and interactive exhibits was good, although sometimes it wasn't clear what they were trying to show.

Great museum, well presented look at a period of Portuguese history for a unfamiliar Brit.

Well-made modern museum. Definitely worth visiting, if you are interested in the history of Portugal. It's not a huge museum, you can visit it in one hour and read almost everything.

Wonderful history. It's seems like Americans want to get rid of our history that is not pleasing. I am an old fart in my 50's and I remember learning that history is to teach us not to make the same mistakes again. This museum is all about that. It's nice to go to an European museum to see the past. I so hope America does not get rid of her history.

(Translated by Google) I was so moved by what this Museum shows us that I wrote a note about what I saw and felt and I have given it to my friends so that bad memories do not fall into oblivion (Original) Fiquei tão emocionada com o que nos mostra este Museu que escrevi um apontamento sobre o que vi e senti e o tenho dado aos meus amigos para que as más memórias não caiam no esquecimento

If you believe in democracy and freedom, you must visit this museum, especially if you are from a country that has no living memory of real repression (e.g. the US). This is a modern museum focused on a coherent narrative-driven experience that is both straightforward to follow, but in-depth enough to sate curiosity. Portugal is at an interesting crossroads. 50 years of post-fascist history following a peaceful revolution on April 25, 1974, and undergoing an EU transformation and tourism explosion that is radically reshaping the country. In many ways, Portugal is an underdog of Europe, and it’s wonderful to see such a hardworking, generous, and welcoming country begin to prosper. On the other hand, Portugal’s hands are still beet red from the anguish, destruction, and cruelty this country wrought onto the world, and must acknowledge that even on the other side of, arguably, 3+ centuries of domestic dark ages. I have had very mixed experiences with Portuguese museums. Newer museums have been excellent. But hiding in the wings of even some recently-renovated ones are the dormant vestiges of the poisonous Estado Novo, in how Portugal’s former “glory,” of the slave/spice trade, the colonial conquests and subjugations, and even the sense that order above freedom in the Cold War is preferable. And this reflects the unfortunate reality that with all free societies, there exist people that wish we (or especially other people) were less free. The Museum Aljube addresses the horrors of fascism and colonialism in a direct manner that I have never seen in Portugal. And I applaud them for it. Never does the museum vacillate about whether Salazar was “necessary,” or “reflective of the times.” He was against democracy and the regime he enabled had all the brutal trappings of authoritarianism, even if the US and the West conveniently turned a blind eye towards it during the Cold War. There still lingers a popular belief that colonialism was a mixed legacy in the United States. Americans, if they know anything about Estado Novo, argue that it was a gentler form of the same 20th century fascism of Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, or Franco. Obviously the Portuguese fascism never rose to the level of its more famous peers, but that doesn’t change the fact that it actively repressed dissent, and did so by using the Church and traditional values as a weapon, and venting dissent into brutalized colonies across its rump empire. I applaud this museum and the tone it sets as Portugal continues to reckon with both being a forgotten minor power and a brutal imperial master. I hope the museum team finds success and serves their mission well as fighting authoritarianism through education, and that Portugal remembers the brutality of their dictatorship even after it fades from living memory.

A must to understand the history of modern Portugal. Chilling testimonies of life under the Estado Novo. Save at least 2h for the visit, there's so much to read. At the time of our visit there were also temporary exhibitions about women under Salazar and the independence struggle in Angola.

Nice museum that tells the history of oppression in Portugal. Tricky to learn from every exhibit if you do not speak Portuguese (limited English). Hidden gem cafe in top floor with reasonable prices, great view, and no tourists.

Very interesting, to learn about last 100 years. Not afraid to show darker sides of history of Portugal.

Loved the place. If you want to learn about the Carnation revolution of 1975, this is a must-visit place. You can learn everything about the revolution starting from the history of dictatorship and how the Portuguese fought against it.

Wonderful, educational museum that I hope will attract many international visitors, especially those interested in learning about 20th century struggles against the fascist dictatorship and for independence in former Portuguese colonies in Africa and Asia (Cabo Verde, Angola, Timor-Leste, etc...)

This museum exceeded my expectations in learning about Portuguese history under the Salazar regime. Everyone should see this before they vote.

Really interesting museum. Covers a lot of the mid 20th century history of Portugal under the Salazar regime which felt important to learn about during my visit. Definitely recommend putting aside a couple of hours to visit this place.

Powerful. Intense. Emotional. Give this museum the time it deserves. I am a Canadian-born Portuguese woman who - until I visited this museum - had only a cursory understanding of life under Salazar’s dictatorship. My god… what an impactful journey into understanding the repression of the dictatorship - and realizing the sacrifice of the men and women who gave their lives for freedom and democracy. This is an important part of our history. Visit.

This museum deals with a very interesting and important time period in Portuguese history. There is a lot of reading to accompany many pictures and a few videos. (I stress "a lot of reading"!) I'm glad we went; however, this is a "one visit" kind of place. Admission (€3 adult; €2.60 senior) was not exorbitant.

An interesting museum, with most exhibits translated to English but at times it was slightly tricky to read all the info. A loooot of interesting info about different resistance movements in Portugal's history. They had lockers for bags and only cost £3 (25+)

Really well organised museum with a lot of information about the resistance the dictatorship.

If you want to spend some time learning Portuguese history, this is your place. Free enteance for teachers.

If you're interested in learning about Portugal's modern history this is the perfect spot. Incredibly good value for money (only 3 euro each) good amount of information but not too heavy. Most in English once you get to the 1sr floor . We were there for just over an hour - highly recommend!

It has good information about the history of Portugal and Lisbon during the 1900s. For English speakers there are pamphlets on the walls with translations, which is sufficient but gets a little cumbersome with how much information there is in the museum.

Stumbled upon this by accident and I am so glad I did. Learned so much about Portugal that I had never known before, and such an important facet of history it is! The main, permanent exhibit all has english translations. A must-see in my opinion!

It is comprehensive and nicely designed and tells the amazing story of the Carnation Revolution, about its roots, itsideology, it's cruelty, its heroism, and its on Portugal's colonized countries. I really enjoyed and would have liked to have more time there.

Overall, its a nice museum. Lots of text. Some issues could be more expanded. Great temporary exhibit now about LGBTQ issues during the dictatorship.

Small museum to feel the pain and hope of millions of portuguese people, who lived under the dictatorship form more than 40 years. If you only want to look at ceramics shops and listen to fado music, please do not enter. But for the tourist who wants to learn more about the past, spend 1-2 hours here. You will remember and appreciate. Mostly in English, pictures, video's,.. you can see the cells of the prison where political dissidents stayed. Entrance around 3-4 Euro, worth it!

Really fascinating and insightful museum. I knew nothing of salazar's regime, but I'm now keen to learn as much as I can. Excellent exhibitions, well laid out, great detail. A real highlight of my trip.

In the second between writing the title and writing the review, maybe it isn't that amazing. I mean who goes on vacation and wants to learn about the torture and murder of thousands of people. That being said, I really liked this museum. I was astounded at how comprehensive it was on the domestic and international front as well as on the experience and historical information. This is something that you should really visit if you are interested in history and the development of Portugal.

A very moving and insightful journey through the history of Portugal and it's fight for freedom at home and overseas. A wonderful history lesson in which you get to see the achievements of the nation throughout the ages, the global reach and imprint left on the world and the pain & suffering of so many. A well mounted and attention grabbing museum not to be missed in Lisbon.

Very powerful experience in a museum dedicated to telling the stories of those who took a stand against Portugal's dictatorship (1920s-1974). The museum is housed in a building where political prisoners were interrogated and tortured. Highly recommended.

Highly important and interesting museum focused around Portugal's fascist regime 1930-1974. Located in an old prison building. Much is translated into English.

Interesting place, really opens your eyes to the history of modern portugal

We came on Sunday 23 th of April. Just before April 25th - the revolution day. It was good to get some history awakening just before that significant day. The entrance was free and the opening hours were extended. They gave carnation flours and there were some activities such as the Crua+TEKILLA band playing. At the end of the gig they played "Grândula Vila Morena" song (The song of the revolution) together with the audience. Beautiful moment ❤️. The museum was great and quite immersive.

Touching story, it makes you feel heavy but strong. I personally was very affected by the testimonies about the torture and other inhuman practices. It was also very interesting how the story of the colonized territories is included and presented. Not a feel good museum, yet historical and accurate.

I seriously cannot understand why this museum doesn't attract many people, but i absolutely enjoyed the fact that it did not, we had the place almost to ourselves. The building (a former prison) is stunning, and used in a very clever way. Learning about Portugal and Lisbon through the angle of 'resistance' is a very interesting way to do it, while we were there two beautiful temporary photography exhibitions strengthened (and broadened) the narrative. Plenty of explanations in English either in the museum or easily downloadable through QR code. One of the best museums I've visited, anywhere > We spent over 3 hours there, but you can definitely pick and choose what to see, and I think with 1 to 1,5 hours in the main exhibition, you already see and learn a lot. All of this for 3 euro per person. Highly recommended.

Essential visit to learn an important part of Portugal's recent history. Beautiful museum, fascinating and thought provoking (and very sad) exhibitions showing how brave Portuguese fought back and overthrew country's Dictatorship. Excellent and Important.

Lest we forget. A sobering, powerful, important look at a dark period of Portuguese history that is relevant to anyone, anywhere. Go. Close to everything. Cheap admission. Many English translations.

Very poignant story, well displayed. Superb cafe on the top floor with excellent food and team. Sit and enjoy a coffee or eat food in the cool and with great views.

Fantastic and amazing museum, you should come here to understand History not just Portuguese but European. Really really worth it. Astonishing

(Translated by Google) Totally recommend !! It is good to go with time, since it has a lot of information, but it is completely worth it. All Portuguese should pay a visit to this museum, especially the most overlooked. (Original) Recomendo totalmente!! Convém ir com tempo, uma vez que tem muita informação, mas vale completamente a pena. Todos os portugueses deviam de fazer uma visita a este museu, principalmente os mais esquecido.

All you wanted to know about the dictatorship in the xxth century. Nice outside views from the top floors.

(Translated by Google) Very interesting museum on the 25th of April. It has everything from videos, to rooms with newspapers of the time and a timeline with all the history of the Estado Novo. It also talks a little about the overseas war. Very friendly staff. (Original) Museu muito interessante sobre o 25 de abril. Tem desde videos, a salas onde estão jornais da época e uma timeline com toda a história do Estado Novo. Fala também um pouco sobre a guerra do ultramar. Staff muito simpático.

(Translated by Google) In Lisbon, the Museu do Aljube - Resistência e Liberdade, tells us the story of the repression in Portugal between 1928 and 1974, from the Dictatorship to the Estado Novo. This museum is the living witness of a past time, so you will never forget it. (Original) Em Lisboa, o Museu do Aljube - Resistência e Liberdade, conta-nos a história da repressão em Portugal dntre 1928 e 1974, da Ditadura ao Estado Novo. Este museu é o testemunha viva de um tempo passado, para que jamais se esqueça.

(Translated by Google) Worth a visit. The spirit of the building is still very strong and you can still feel the suffering of the prisoners today, if you are a little sensitive to it. To my taste, I shouldn't have renovated the entire building - everything looks a little sterile and dry because of that. There are videos and all the walls are full of historical information, some of which can only be read in part, because there are many. A longer stay is not recommended for sensitive people, due to the nature of the exhibition's heavy content - however, a visitor interested in recent history and politics should definitely visit this exhibition. All descriptions are also in English as the videos are subtitled for foreign visitors. The reception staff are very pleasant and helpful, Lisbon residents have free entry. (Original) Uma visita que vale a pena. O espírito do prédio ainda é muito forte e ainda pode sentir o sofrimento dos reclusos hoje mesmo, se estiver um pouco sensível a isso. Para o meu gosto, não deveria ter reformado o edificio inteiro - tudo parece um pouco estéril e seco por causa disso. Há vídeos e todas as paredes estão cheias de informações históricas, algumas das quais só podem ser lidas em parte, porque são muitas. Uma estadia mais longa não é recomendada para pessoas sensíveis, devido à natureza do conteúdo pesado da exposição - no entanto, um visitante interessado na história recente e na politica deve definitivamente visitar esta exposição. Todas as descrições também estão em inglês tal como os vídeos são legendados para os visitantes estrangeiros. Os funcionários da recepção são muito agradáveis ​​e prestativos, os residentes de Lisboa têm entrada gratuita.

(Translated by Google) A modern museum with immense archive information about the Portuguese dictatorship and its context. I really enjoyed the visit. (Original) Un museu moderno com imensa informação de arquivo sobre a ditadura portuguesa e I seu contexto. Curti muito a visita.

Very interesting museum. One could even say that there are too many information and things to see in such a small place. But actually it is worth a visit (the entrance fee is only 3€)

(Translated by Google) I honestly even liked the museum but now it will be full of "" RATS "and they don't notice anything yet (Original) Eu sinceramente até gostava do museu mas agora vai estar cheio de "" RATOS" e que não percebem nada ainda por cima

(Translated by Google) We liked it a lot, a part of the history of Portugal that is not studied at school. In times of covid, security measures are a priority (Original) Gostámos muito, uma parte da história de Portugal que não é estudada na escola. Em tempos de covid, as medidas de segurança são uma prioridade

(Translated by Google) Museum dedicated to the resistance against the Salazar dictatorship and set up in the building where political prisoners were imprisoned. It is a modern museum with photos and writings like there are many in Europe but inferior to the Schindler factory in Krakow or the Terror Haza in Budapest. (Original) Museo dedicato alla resistenza contro la dittatura di Salazar ed allestito nel palazzo dove venivano imprigionati i prigionieri politici. Ė un museo moderno con foto e scritte come ce ne sono tanti in Europa ma inferiore alla fabbrica di Schindler di Cracovia o il Terror Haza di Budapest.

A must-see

(Translated by Google) Could be better (Original) Kon beter

(Translated by Google) Excellent exposure I recommend (Original) Excelente exposição Recomendo

(Translated by Google) Exciting and beautifully designed (Original) Spannend und schön gestaltet

(Translated by Google) A museum that recalls the bloodiest history of the Aljube prison, the country, the Salazar dictatorship and the colonial war. Highly recommended if you want to know the history of Lisbon and the country. It has moved me. (Original) Un museo que recuerda la historia más cruenta de la prisión de Aljube, del país, de la dictadura de Salazar y de la guerra colonialista. Muy recomendado si quieres conocer la historia de Lisboa y del país. A mí me ha emocionado.

(Translated by Google) It has hard parts for the youngest. Part of the story that cannot be forgotten. (Original) Tem partes duras para os mais novos. Parte da história que não pode ser esquecida.

(Translated by Google) A must-visit museum (Original) Um museu de visita obrigatória

Very interesting museum, with focus on the dark times before the 1974's revolution.

(Translated by Google) Very complete history of a specific period in the history of Portugal. (Original) História muito completa de um período específico da história de Portugal.

(Translated by Google) Much content and interesting, the best coffee on the top floor which is one of the best views and coffees I have tried in Lisbon, in addition to the incredible views, can go after the visit or requesting at the entrance (only visit the cafe) and they won't pay! (Original) Mucho contenido e interesante, lo mejor el café de la planta superior que es uno de loas mejores vistas y cafés que he probado en toda lisboa, ademas las vistas increíbles, pueden ir después de la visita o solicitando en entrada( solo visita al café) y no pagarán!

Never forget what happens when fascism is in charge.

It is a must to deeply know about the Portuguese history

Well curated exhibition. The top floor hosts an amazing cafe with great wines, coffee and pastries. It boasts a wraparound balcony with beautiful views of the bridge and water. You can get to the cafe without seeing the exhibit by letting the guard know that you want to go to the cafe on the top floor and they will direct you to an elevator. While there don't forget to try the owner, Maria's secret chocolate love potion. She is a lovely host and very proud to share stories of her city and cafe with her guests

Very important museum. Must go place. IMHO too much text, museum wants to tell you too much, a lot of information.

History is always repeating itself but human never learn the lessons.

(Translated by Google) Loved it I did guided tour..it was very good !! (Original) Adorei fiz visita guiada..foi muito bom!!

(Translated by Google) It is well worth spending time. I wish we had one like that in Spain. (Original) Bien merece la pena dedicarle tiempo. Ojalá tuviéramos uno así en España.

Such a thought provoking place. A brilliant wau to spend several hours. I will return.

(Translated by Google) Nothing in French ... if you don't speak English or Portuguese go your way ... too bad (Original) Rien en français... si vous ne parlez pas anglais ou portugais passez votre chemin ... dommage

(Translated by Google) So that everyone knows that fascism existed and that put those who fought for Freedom on the sidelines. (Original) Para que todos saibam que o fascismo existiu e que colocava em curros os que lutavam pela Liberdade.

(Translated by Google) Easy access. Memories of recent times not to be forgotten. I recommend (Original) Fácil acesso. Memórias de tempos recentes a não esquecer. Recomendo

(Translated by Google) Heroic Museum (Original) Museu heroico

(Translated by Google) Must see to discover or rediscover the fascist period in Portugal and the resistance of the Portuguese people (Original) À voir absolument pour découvrir ou re-découvrir la période fasciste au Portugal et la résistance du peuple portugais

(Translated by Google) It is very positive that there is a place for historical memory. The bad thing is that the museum has many posters with information (too many), almost everything is panels with letters, and you end up getting tired of reading. I expected something more dynamic. In addition, there was a group of students who occupied the entire space and did not let us move through the museum. (Original) Es muy positivo que exista un lugar para la memoria histórica. Lo malo es que el museo tiene muchísimos carteles con información (demasiados), casi todo son paneles con letras, y te acabas cansando de leer. Esperaba algo más dinámico. Además, había un grupo de estudiantes que ocupaban todo el espacio y no nos dejaban avanzar por el museo.

(Translated by Google) Interesting and important for everyone, I wish we had the same in Spain, memory is very important. (Original) Interesante e importante para todos, ojala en España lo tuviéramos igual, la memoria es muy importante.

(Translated by Google) It is a very good museum. It has a magnificent view over the Tagus from the cafeteria. I recommend the visit. (Original) É um Museu muito bom. Tem uma vista magnifica sobre o Tejo da cafetaria. Recomendo a visita.

(Translated by Google) About the revolution in Portugal (Original) Over de revolutie in Portugal

(Translated by Google) very interesting from Portugal's history (Original) sehr Interessantes aus Portugals History

The guided tour did not achieve its objectives, everything was done very quickly, making it impossible to understand anything, in addition to literally being expelled from it. Mortágua School Group

It's not worth visiting the museum, as I went with the school and they expedited the visit, supposedly the visit took 1h 30min but we only had 50min there. We had half an hour sitting on a chair watching two videos that didn't say anything new and we only had 15min or 20min to see the entire museum and they only showed 2 floors and the museum had 4. What surprised me most was that they put around 40 students outside the museum and left us in the rain, even though they had a huge empty space there where no one was there.

The guided tour did not achieve its objectives, everything was done very quickly, making it impossible to understand anything, in addition to literally being expelled from it.