Museums and Palaces

The Sacavém factory was founded in 1856 by Manuel Joaquim Afonso and later carried on by John Stott Howorth, James Gilman and Clive Gilbert. It became famous for its production of faience, considered from the start to be one of the best in Europe. One of its main claims to fame is that it was the first Portuguese firm to make feldspathic faience tableware on an industrial scale and to produce azulejos, toilet bowls and mosaics.

In spite of all its successes and innovations, the porcelain factory failed to adapt to the changing times, and went bankrupt in 1979. 10 years later, the Ceramics Museum opened in 2000, with the aim of preserving the memory of the former factory. It is centred around oven 18, which is circular and has 10 openings, through which various pieces of acknowledged beauty used to pass. All the rest of the space is organised around this. There are over 5,000 porcelain pieces and 100 azulejos on display. Besides the exhibition rooms and a magnificent terrace with a view of the River Tagus, it is also possible to watch the whole production process in workshops where former workers at the Sacavém Ceramics Factory recreate past times.

The Sacavém Ceramics Museum was awarded first prize in the industrial heritage category by the European Museum Forum, a British organisation.