Refurbished MUDE reopens its doors eight years later

At the reopening, "The Building on Display" and the launch of the book "MUDE Building - Transformations from a Design Perspective", mark the resumption of cultural programming in the downtown Pombaline building from the early 18th century.

During the eight years of closure, MUDE maintained its activity with exhibitions "out of doors". With the reopening, the museum has new facilities, barrier-free spaces for visitors with reduced mobility, elevators and ramps.

"Taking advantage of and restoring existing materials" was one of the concerns, said Carlos Moedas. "Recovering and restoring most of the structures and investments. Less concrete, more imagination, more sustainability".

For the mayor of Lisbon, the museum is "a journey between the past and the future, between the physical world and the digital world, and above all between sustainability and inclusion", and he added: "by making these ruins a heritage site, combining the legacies of their past with contemporary design, we have created this fusion between innovation and culture. This showcase of Portuguese design talent, but also design from around the world. This inclusion that we see in every detail," concluded Carlos Moedas.

All the exhibitions, says MUDE, "have information in Braille", and the library and documentation archive are now available to specialists, students and the general public, as well as the auditorium, store and educational services.

At the end of September, the cafeteria, restaurant and bookshop will begin operating.

Inaugurated in 2009, MUDE welcomed nearly two million visitors until its closure in 2017. It currently has around 17,000 pieces, 1,362 of which are part of the "Francisco Capelo Collection", bought from the collector by the municipality in 2002.

With the Passe Cultura, entry to more than 40 cultural venues in Lisbon is free for residents up to the age of 23 and over the age of 65 (inclusive).