Museu dos Fósforos (Museum of Matchboxes)

​One of the best ways to continue discovering everything that this fascinating city has to offer is to stop by the Museu dos Fósforos, located in one of the courtyards of the Convento de São Francisco.

​A remarkable assortment of matchboxes and labels from all parts of the globe are on display at this diminutive yet captivating museum.

The elaborate patterns and vivid colors of the matchbox labels are the first things that visitors see when they step foot in the museum. The samples in the collection come from all around the world and span many different eras. In fact, it takes guests on a visual tour of package design and the evolution of matchboxes.

Aesthetically beautiful as they are, the matchboxes and labels also reveal something about the cultural and social contexts in which they were made. As time went on and technology and popular culture changed, visitors could observe the evolution of matchbox design.

Seeing how matches are made is a must-do experience at the Museu dos Fósforos. From choosing the materials to make the product to selling it, everything falls under this category. Visitors can learn more about the history of matches through the museum's interactive exhibits.

If you are looking for a souvenir (or ornament) of your visit to Tomar, directly across the courtyard is an artisan shop where they were hand painting tiles, ornaments, etc.