Lisbon’s acclaimed Calouste Gulbenkian Museum officially reopened its doors on July 18, 2026, following an ambitious 18-month, €7.8 million restoration. The extensive project was undertaken with a clear mission: to return the landmark institution to its original 1969 modernist design and rediscover the initial vision that shaped its unique aesthetic.
The restoration, spearheaded by Lisbon architect Teresa Nunes da Ponte and French conservation specialist Frédéric Ladonne, aimed to strengthen the profound connection between the museum’s celebrated collections, its architecture, and its surrounding gardens. This endeavor meant meticulously stripping away decades of alterations, relying on archival plans and period photographs to reinstate the authentic raw material palette, which includes elements like silk upholstery, natural wood, bronze, gleaming glass, and raw concrete.
A key focus of the project was the reestablishment of visual sightlines, both between the galleries themselves and outward into the lush surrounding gardens. This restoration brings back the original design’s intention to prioritize an intimate relationship with nature for those within its walls. Notably, the iconic moss-green carpeting has been reinstated in the European Galleries—a move that replaced previous varnished floorboards and, while perhaps controversial to some, serves to visually link the interior spaces with the exterior garden landscape.
Beyond the aesthetic overhaul, strategic technical updates were paramount. The museum’s security, fire safety, ventilation, and lighting systems were all modernized to meet contemporary museum standards. State-of-the-art UV-filtering film was applied to the bronze-tinted glass, complemented by micro-perforated fabric screens in the windows, ensuring artworks are protected while preserving the cherished views of the landscape. A new lighting system, crafted by French specialist ACL, now recreates the distinctive 1960s amber glow using advanced LED technology for improved legibility, further enhanced by anti-reflective glass installed throughout the museum.
The reopening also unveiled a new addition for the public: a previously inaccessible study area has been transformed into a dedicated Numismatics Cabinet, now proudly displaying Calouste Gulbenkian’s impressive coin collection. This restoration project aligns with a broader philosophy, aiming to serve as a model for faithful museum conservation by focusing not on reinventing or expanding, but rather on rediscovering and amplifying the institution’s original architectural and curatorial principles.
The museum’s grand reopening coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, established on July 18, 1956. This milestone underscores the institution’s enduring legacy and significant contributions across art, education, science, and social welfare over seven decades. The museum continues to celebrate its global art collection, personally amassed by Calouste Gulbenkian, which features over 6,000 objects spanning diverse cultures and periods and is housed in the very building purpose-built to showcase such an extraordinary cultural treasure.