Money Museum

   Situated within the restored Church of San Julio is the Lisbon Money Museum. Dedicated to the history of currency, the museum presents exhibits of coins and bank notes from around the world (including the first known coins in the west, to a one-of-a-kind "Oban" - a Japanese gold plate that was used as currency). The original church building was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake that devastated Lisbon. For several years after its reconstruction, the building served as a warehouse for the Bank of Portugal. Archeological excavations under the building revealed the remnants of a city wall dating back to the reign of King Dinis (i.e. 13th century), as well as more than 100,000 ceramic fragments from both the Roman and Islamic periods (i.e. circa third century B.C. until the twelfth century A.D.). In addition, vestiges were found of the Royal Palace of the Ribeira (constructed in 1580) which had served as the residence of the kings of Portugal for 250 years. In the same archeological area were found the remains of three hundred bodies. Now serving as a museum (with free admission), visitors are greeted by a large vault in the main lobby, containing a 12 kg gold bar (estimated worth at nearly $600,000 USD). Unfortunately, they would not let us take a sample!

Lisbon's Money Museum was once the San Julio church.

Old lithograph of what the building looked like before the 1755 earthquake.

We were amazed by the immensity of the main lobby...

...until we found the vault...

...and the 12kg gold bar.

Part of a late 17th century screw press for stamping coins.

One of the rare coins on display was this gold 10 Ducats minted circa 1578.

For us, the highlight of our visit was seeing this 13th century city wall from the reign of King Dinis...

...including this image which shows the demarcation line of the Ribeira Royal Palace where it stood against king Dinis' city wall.