Museu dos Fosforos (Matchstick Museum), Tomar

Useful Information

Portugal

Central Portugal

Tomar

UNESCO World Heritage

Accommodation in Tomar

The Museu dos Fosforos (Matchstick Museum) in Tomar, central Portugal is home to an unusual collection, which took a life time to acquire, and well worth a visit.

The Museu dos Fosforos is housed part of the Convent of São Francisco, adjacent to the train station in Tomar.  Senor Aquiles de Mota Lima began collecting match boxes in 1953 and now display cases full of match boxes fill seven chambers of the convent.

During a trip to London in 1953 to watch the coronation ceremonies of Queen Elizabeth II, Senor Aquiles de Mota Lima purchased two souvenir match boxes.  The collection of over 50,000 match boxes includes examples from over 104 countries, containing more than 2.000.000 matches.

The collection, spread over seven, barrel ceiling chambers of the Convent, is divided into three time periods 1827-1895; 1895-1910 and 1910 to the present day. Pride of place at the entrance though are the first two commemorative boxes Snr Mota Lima acquired.

There are  boxes shaped like light bulbs, hexagonal boxes and another made out of silver. In addition there are commemorative boxes from films, coronations and world events.

The Museu dos Fosforos opened in it's present location in 1980 when the collection was gifted to the people of Tomar. Since then it has been an educational and popular attraction. The museum is open daily between 10am and 5pm and entrance is free.

Display Cases full of Matchboxes

Original 2 Boxes of Collection

View to chambers

Entrance of Museum