After being blown away by the stunning Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage that looms large over the charming city of Tomar, Portugal, you may think that there is no possible way that anything else could similarly inspire you in the same town. Well, think again, because Museu dos Fósforos (Match Museum) is a one-of-a-kind-museum. Situated within the beautiful 17th-century Convento de São Francisco, the museum offers a captivating glimpse into history through the lens of something as simple as a matchbox.
How It Started
The Museu dos Fósforos started with a humble request from an American woman to an ordinary businessman named Aquiles da Mota Lima from Tomar, Portugal. At the time, Mota Lima was traveling by ship to London on his way to see the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The American woman asked if Mota Lima could pick up a few matchbooks designed especially for the coronation and, while he was at it, grab matchbooks from other countries he visited along the way. By the time Mota Lima returned to Portugal, he brought more than 100 matchbooks with him and an obsession was born!
By the time Mota Lima finished his initial matchbook collection, he had collection matchbooks from 127 countries totaling more than 2-3 million matchsticks. After Moto Lima’s death, his daughter Maria Helena da Mota Lima continued to supervise the collection. Two matchbooks from Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation can be viewed in the first room of the museum in a special place set aside for the spark of inspiration that started it all!
How It’s Going
Today, more than 43,000 matchbooks from over 120 countries fill the shelves of seven different rooms of the Museu dos Fósforos.
These matchbooks are organized by both subject and country of origin, but each matchbook cover tells a story of a culture, a brand, and a moment in time. By the end of your visit, you will be amazed by how a simple everyday object can connect visitors to the past.
Visitors can browse through rows of meticulously displayed matchboxes, with labels featuring everything from exotic animals and historical figures to advertising slogans and national emblems. Each one offers a tiny window into a different world – from countries and eras that no longer exist.
The Collection
Some matchboxes reflect moments of historical significance, with themes such as World War II, the rise of consumerism, and the evolution of popular culture. Others simply capture the everyday life and advertisements of their time. Walking through the museum feels like taking a journey through the 19th and 20th centuries, with matchboxes as your guide.
From Portugal to Japan, the United States to the Soviet Union, the matchboxes come from all corners of the world. You can find colorful boxes from the 1950s, promoting new household products or local businesses, next to ones featuring royalty or communist leaders. There are also impressive collections of the complete alphabet, 52-card playing sets, and dominos captured on the front of matchbooks. In addition, visitors can find an impressive array of vintage matchbook erotica and Hollywood celebrities. You can really stroll through the Museu dos Fósforos and suddenly find that a few hours have gone by – there is really that much to see!
How to Get to Museu dos Fósforos
Located within Tomar’s historic district, the Museu dos Fósforos is easily accessible by foot from most of the city’s central attractions. Tomar itself is about a 90-minute drive from Lisbon, making it a popular destination for day-trippers looking to explore its rich history, including the Convent of Christ and the beautiful old town.
If you’re traveling by train from Lisbon, direct trains to Tomar run frequently, and the journey takes approximately two hours. Once you arrive in Tomar, the museum is a short walk from the station, making it a convenient stop during your exploration of the city. For those traveling by car, Tomar offers ample parking options, and the museum is well-signposted. Note that the museum entrance is located inside a courtyard, so look for the signs along the outside of the the building.
Tickets & Times
Admission to the Museu dos Fósforos is free, making it an accessible and budget-friendly activity for travelers of all ages. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and then again from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, though it’s advisable to check local opening times during holidays or special events.
In the peaceful atmosphere of the Museu dos Fósforos, you can take your time and ignite your own imagination with the quirky, unexpected delights of the collection. Much like Tomar itself, the Museu dos Fósforos leaves a lasting impression—a small but significant reminder of the beauty to be found in the everyday objects that connect us around the world.
