MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology

"Explore contemporary art and architecture at the MAAT." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeare

"The main reason to visit the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT)—a modern cross-cultural hub that brings together visual arts, urban affairs, technology, and science—is the setting. British architect Amanda Levete’s undulating building is covered in white ceramic tiles and capped with a rooftop terrace, while exhibition spaces can also be found in the newly reimagined central power station. The permanent collection and the rotating exhibitions run the gamut, from pop art to ceramics to wood sculptures. There’s even an archival collection about the history of Portuguese electricity. It’s also home to what is now the most impressive collection of contemporary Portuguese art." - Alia Akkam, Chadner Navarro

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? When MAAT opened in 2016, it was a major cultural moment not just for the city of Lisbon, but for Portugal in general. It’s a majestic riverside space for contemporary art. The futuristic structure by British architect Amanda Levete is unlike anything you’ll find in Portugal. And exhibition spaces can also be found in the newly reimagined central power station. It’s definitely grand. A museum’s permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? It’s a multidisciplinary art and culture destination. The permanent collection and the rotating exhibitions run the gamut, from pop art to ceramics to wood sculptures. There’s even an archival collection about the history of Portuguese electricity. It’s also home to what is now the most impressive collection of contemporary Portuguese art. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? MAAT does host rotating exhibitions. Most recently, there was a Carsten Höller show that played with light. Aric Chen and Martina Muzi also curated a multi-artist, multidisciplinary show about globalization. The space is beautiful. The architecture is unique, meaning exhibition spaces—which total 3,000 square meters—are different shapes, different sizes. Some are brightly lit with massive windows while others are darker and more intimate. What did you make of the crowd? The exhibitions can be a little more unusual. So you definitely get a lot of people who are very into the subject and art in general. But because MAAT was such a big deal for Portugal, you do have Portuguese families who come just to check out the space. There are children, most of them are enthralled by the multi-sensory experience you get here. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? The museum is wheelchair-friendly. Not only does it have ramps and elevators for the mobility impaired, there are also a couple of wheelchairs that you can use during your visit. Is the café worth a stop? There is a casual cafe, where you can grab sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and beer. But there’s also a very buzzy fine dining restaurant that serves full-on meals and heavier dishes like oxtail stew and octopus from the Algarve. Both have great views of the river. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? You don’t have to see everything. And if you’re not into art, it’s worth going to the museum (no need to buy a ticket) to look at the building from the outside. And then sit on the promenade next the river with a cold beer. It’s great for people-watching." - Chadner Navarro

"Lisbon’s newest attraction, the MAAT stands proud along the waterfront in Belém. The vision of U.K.-based architect Amanda Levete, the museum takes interactivity to a whole new level, encouraging visitors to walk on its roof and snap photos of its scaled facade, which is particularly beautiful at sunset when it reflects the shimmering Tagus River. The building is connected by a garden walkway to an older structure—a red-brick, Industrial Age power station that itself is on display. Visitors can also expect rotating exhibitions on the museum’s namesake topics: art, architecture, and technology."

"The Power Building I really like this building, the Central, with its beautiful facade and huge glass panes. Glass, iron, and red brick are the main materials used in its construction. The Central is close to the river, since the coal responsible for the Central’s operation used to arrive by frigate. It was this Central that used to provide power for lighting Lisbon streets. Inside are permanent exhibits, the Central itself and its equipment, and themed exhibits. Inside, too, is a restaurant, “Amo.te Tejo.” And outside there is a lawn."