Audio GuideCasa Fernando Pessoa

In a leafy district of Lisbon, you will find Casa Fernando Pessoa—a lively cultural centre honouring one of Portugal’s most renowned twentieth-century poets, Fernando Pessoa. Behind its original pale façade, the building is layered with decades of literary heritage. Sunlight pours in through generous windows, casting a gentle glow over shelves filled with books, handwritten manuscripts, and even the poet’s own hat and spectacles.

Sepp Wejwar

More than a traditional museum, this was also Pessoa’s final home. He lived here from the early nineteen twenties until just days before his death in the nineteen thirties. After a period of neglect, Lisbon’s city council purchased and restored the house in the late nineteen eighties. They preserved the historic frontage, the stone staircase, and two of the original rooms. Today, Casa Fernando Pessoa combines these carefully kept historical touches with fresh, modern architectural details—inviting ramps, light-filled corridors, and peaceful nooks designed for reading and reflection.

Rui Pedro da Costa Tirá

The story of Pessoa unfolds over three themed floors. The first floor is dedicated to his playful invention of “heteronyms”—that is, imaginary poets dreamed up by Pessoa, each with their own distinctive style and biography. Along the walls, you will find inventive portraits and artworks, including the celebrated image of Pessoa absorbed in the avant-garde literary journal Orpheu. These displays bring to life the vibrant artistic scene of Lisbon in his era.

At the centre of the house stands a secure display holding the greater part of Pessoa’s own private library—a collection that he began as a child. Many books still bear his handwritten notes and reflections in the margins. The public library, just steps away, invites guests to linger over international poetry or explore fresh translations of Pessoa’s compelling work.

The apartment on the first floor has been thoughtfully recreated. Here you will discover the poet’s original writing desk, personal letters, and everyday objects. These offer a glimpse into the quiet, subtle rhythms of his life in Lisbon. Every object tells a story—from his childhood spent in South Africa, to his experimental games with language, and the café debates that helped shape modern Portuguese literature.

Casa Fernando Pessoa is much more than a museum preserved in time. The house regularly plays host to poetry readings, talks, and cultural events. It draws in literature lovers from across the world as well as the local neighbourhood. The welcoming and accessible design reflects its mission: to make poetry—and Pessoa’s restless, inquisitive spirit—available to all. Through personal treasures, rare first editions, and the lively invention of his many alter egos, visitors are invited to step into Pessoa’s universe—a kaleidoscope of voices that transformed the world of literature forever.