House of Spikes
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Basic info
Type of attraction
Museum
Portuguese name
Casa dos Bicos / Fundação José Saramago
Location
Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 10 – 1100-135 Lisboa
Website
House of Spikes: +351 210 993 811
Website Email
J. S. Foundation: +351 218 802 040
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How to visit
Prices
José Saramago Foundation:
(Upper floor)
General Ticket: 3,00€
Student: 2,00€
Family Ticket*: 8,00€
Groups: 2,00€ (per person)
Lisbon Card: 2,00€
*Maximum of 2 adults.
Guided Tour**
Individual: 6,00€
Senior (over 65): 3,00€
Groups: 4,00€ (per person)
**Booking is mandatory.
Free access
- Archaeological Core (Ground floor)
- Children (under 12)
- Senior (over 65)
Opening times
Monday to Saturday
10 am – 6 pm
Last admission: 5:30 pm
Closing days
Sunday
January 1, May 1, December 25
Location
Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 10 – 1100-135 Lisboa
Public transports
Metro: Blue line > Terreiro do Paço station
+ 4 min walk
Bus: 728, 759, 794 > Sul e Sueste (Stop)
Tram: 12E, 28E > Sé (Stop)
+ 2 min walk
Car Parking: Campo das Cebolas; Chão do Loureiro & Portas do Sol
More details
- Facade: the reticulated matrix of diamond-shaped points (spouts) and the small loggia with three arches are distinctive landmarks of this building.
- José Saramago Foundation: with exhibitions about the life and work of José Saramago. Original manuscripts, photographs and personal items of the author are displayed.
- Archaeological Core: includes roman remains from a fish processing factory (c. 1st century), sections of a late roman wall and tower.
- Fish salting tanks: used during the Roman period for fish preservation.
- Amphora spout: from the 1st to the mid-3rd century.
- Fragments of everyday use objects before the 1755 earthquake: chamber pot, bowl, jug, oil cruet, pipe.
c.1522 – The construction of the House of Spikes is commissioned by Brás de Albuquerque. The project inspired by italian renaissance buildings is attributed to the architect Francisco de Arruda.
1755 – Lisbon Earthquake. The upper floors of the building are severely damaged.
1955 – Acquisition by the Lisbon City Council.
1981 – Rehabilitation of the building. Project by Manuel Vicente and Daniel Santa-Rita.
1981 – Since this year several archaeological campaigns have been carried out.
1987-2002 – It serves as the headquarters of the National Commission for the Commemoration of the Portuguese Discoveries.
2008 – The municipality allocates the upper floors for the José Saramago Foundation. The ground floor is assigned to an Archaeological Core.
2010 – Archaeological campaign with findings incorporated into the exhibition.
2014 – Inauguration.
the surroundings
- St. Anthony Church (160 m)
- Lisbon Cathedral (170 m)
- Roman Theater (450 m)
- Fado Museum (550 m)
- St. Jorge Castle (700 m)
- National Tile Museum (2,7 km)
- Pimenta Palace/Lisbon Museum (6,3 km)
- Adega do Atum (36 m)
- Taberna Moderna (36 m)
- Discreto (40 m)
- Solar dos Bicos (41 m)
- Casa da Tradição (150 m)