Money Museum

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The museum building rests on the foundations of the 13th-century Cerca Velha, the oldest defensive wall in Lisbon.

2. 2

   Visitors can physically handle a genuine gold bar weighing over 12 kilograms inside one of the exhibition galleries.

3. 3

   The Church of São Julião was significantly reconstructed following the catastrophic 1755 Lisbon earthquake.

4. 4

   The museum collection includes rare coins from the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.

5. 5

   The site features a digital station where guests can see their own image printed on a virtual banknote.

6. 6

   It remains one of the few museums globally that integrates a medieval archaeological site directly into a functioning bank-owned archive.

Overview

The Money Museum is housed within the deconsecrated Church of São Julião, located in the historic center of Lisbon. The facility showcases the evolution of currency, spanning from ancient barter systems to modern digital banking. Visitors can view a diverse collection of coins, banknotes, and medals minted throughout Portuguese history. A significant architectural feature includes a surviving section of the 13th-century D. Dinis wall embedded within the building's basement. Interactive exhibits allow guests to mint their own commemorative coin. The permanent collection covers global monetary history and its intersection with societal development. The museum uses multimedia installations to explain complex economic concepts such as inflation and credit. Its integration of archaeological remnants with modern numismatic display creates a unique fusion of history and finance.

Insider tips

• Engage with the interactive tablets to access deeper layers of information about specific currency eras.

• Visit the underground level to view the medieval wall segments before exiting the building.

• The gift shop offers high-quality numismatic publications and museum-branded commemorative items.