Audio GuidePavilhão de Portugal Expo 98

Welcome to the Portugal Pavilion from the Nineteen Ninety-Eight Expo, a breathtaking example of modern architecture located in Lisbon’s Parque das Nações. This striking concrete pavilion, designed by the renowned architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, served as the focal point of Portugal's representation in the Nineteen Ninety-Eight World Exposition.

As you approach the pavilion, you are greeted by an impressive two-layered concrete canopy that stretches fifty metres, gracefully undulating like sails above the Tagus River. The sturdy structure, held aloft by steel cables, creates an expansive outdoor space that is ideal for concerts and community events.

Piotr Mikulski

Siza's design is a minimalist masterpiece that embodies Portugal’s rich maritime past and draws from traditional Portuguese architecture. The pavilion's white surfaces and light-coloured tiles complement the natural light, creating a modern yet welcoming atmosphere. Following the Expo, the pavilion was declared a Monument of Public Interest and was subsequently transformed by the University of Lisbon into a centre for cultural and educational activities.

From two thousand nineteen to two thousand twenty-one, a nine-million-euro project rejuvenated the space, ensuring it remains a lively venue for exhibitions, conferences, and public events. Thanks to its adaptable layout and prime location by the Tagus River, alongside the Vasco da Gama Bridge, it is a pivotal landmark in Lisbon.

Whether enjoying an outdoor concert under the expansive canopy or wandering through an exhibition, the Portugal Pavilion from the Nineteen Ninety-Eight Expo provides a unique mix of architectural elegance and cultural importance, inviting visitors to engage with the essence of Lisbon's modern legacy.