Casa das Histórias Paula Rego

Paula Rego, born in Lisbon in 1935 and working mostly in London until her death in 2022, made figurative paintings and pastels of unusual directness - fairy tales turned menacing, women in postures of power and humiliation, and the Abortion series of 1998-99, showing women alone during illegal terminations. The museum was built for her work by Eduardo Souto de Moura, whom she chose herself, on the site of old tennis courts, and opened in 2009: two tall red-pigmented concrete pyramids over a low block, the pyramids referencing the chimneys of Portuguese palace kitchens, set among pines. It holds a large collection of her paintings, prints and pastels along with work by her husband Victor Willing, and runs temporary exhibitions.

What you'll find

• The building - Souto de Moura's red concrete pyramids among pines, from 2009.
• The collection - a large holding of Rego's paintings, pastels and prints.
• The Abortion series - the 1998-99 pastels of women alone during illegal terminations.
• Victor Willing - work by Rego's husband shown alongside hers.

When to go

Year-round. One to two hours. Quiet compared with Cascais's seafront a few minutes away.

What to expect

Rego's subject matter is confronting - violence, abortion, coercion - and it is not a gentle visit. The permanent display rotates, so specific works may not be up. The building is often photographed more than the art. A short walk from the Cascais centre.

Nearby

Cascais old town and the citadel are a short walk; Boca do Inferno is west.

Key facts