Centro Portugues de Fotografia
Centro Portugues de Fotografia
Centro Portugues de Fotografia
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
About
The Portuguese Centre for Photography (CPF) is a free public service based in Porto, in the building of the former Relação Prison. It was created in 1997 by the then Ministry of Culture and it is currently under the supervision of the Directorate-General for Books, Archives and Libraries. Its competences are aimed at promoting and valuing our photographic heritage, namely through the archival processing of specimens and the management of the National Photography Collection. The CPF also offers an annual programme of temporary exhibitions, a permanent Museum Centre that comprises a rare and valuable collection of photographic cameras, a specialized library - which provides specimen research and reproduction services -, a shop, and free guided tours to the building and the exhibitions upon prior reservation
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Michael FPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania856 contributionsNot a must-do, but if you have time check it out!Not a must-do, this free museum is still worth trying to squeeze in to your visit should you find time in your schedule. It is filled with several floors walking down the history of photography from the dawn of the camera to the digital age. You can pace yourself to whatever run time you have available. I spent about 45 minutes to an hour and was happily entertained. There are also a few good window views from this old converted prison. If you have extra time, consider their rotating special exhibition. However, entry to that side of the museum will come with a small charge.Visited September 2023Travelled soloWritten 14 November 2023
- T-SGlobetrottersPreston, United Kingdom3,654 contributionsInteresting building definitely worth a visitThis former prison build in neoclassical style in 1767 is now run by the Portuguese centre for photography. It is free to enter and as well as viewing the interior of the building which is interesting in itself, the photography exhibition has varied and eclectic displays. It features exhibitions of numerous Portuguese artists plus a wide ranging collection of historic cameras. If you have time, it is definitely worth a visit for an hour or so.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 January 2024
- paulac32Manchester, United Kingdom358 contributionsGet locked in!Very interesting museum and additional exhibition in the centre of Porto. If you are interested in some of Porto's history and/or photography you will enjoy this. There are 3 floors of photography, cameras and other paraphernalia. And it's free for a change! Lovely jardim opposite for you to escape the sun. Underrated.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 April 2024
- Katharine T6 contributionsExcellent curatorship!We stumbled into this museum by accident while walking around beautiful Porto. It was fascinating and we stayed until they kicked us out! We were there during the exhibit “War Spoils” and the imagery was so affecting, it prompted us to go into a deep history about the Colonial Wars and the fight to overthrow the fascist dictatorship in 1975. The heart, thought and art that went into that exhibit will stay with me forever. It also prompted us to go to another prison museum in Lisbon, the Museum of Freedom and Resistance, which I also recommend. The temporary exhibits will change, but if the curation of that exhibit is any indication, whatever exhibit is up during your visit will be well worth the trip!Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 31 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
666 reviews
Excellent
248
Very good
271
Average
107
Poor
31
Terrible
9
June A
Surrey, UK2,757 contributions
Nov 2019
As a photographer myself I always make a point of visiting photographic exhibitions when I come across them on my travels. This one was not bad, although large swathes of it seemed to be closed, with very little information in English. The building itself is almost as attractive as the exhibits, and from what I understand used to be a jail.
Written 31 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katharine T
6 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
We stumbled into this museum by accident while walking around beautiful Porto. It was fascinating and we stayed until they kicked us out! We were there during the exhibit “War Spoils” and the imagery was so affecting, it prompted us to go into a deep history about the Colonial Wars and the fight to overthrow the fascist dictatorship in 1975. The heart, thought and art that went into that exhibit will stay with me forever. It also prompted us to go to another prison museum in Lisbon, the Museum of Freedom and Resistance, which I also recommend.
The temporary exhibits will change, but if the curation of that exhibit is any indication, whatever exhibit is up during your visit will be well worth the trip!
The temporary exhibits will change, but if the curation of that exhibit is any indication, whatever exhibit is up during your visit will be well worth the trip!
Written 31 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J D
15 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Photography museum in a former (and OLD) prison. The antique, large format, wooden cameras were very interesting. Some of the exhibits were a bit far out for me, but I really enjoyed the photographs of life in India in the 21st century. Best of all was the building itself. A magnificent structure, still with the barred windows, shutters, iron doors. Great hardware. An inner courtyard now has a glass roof, but the stone floor drains indicate it was open to the sky and provided air (and cold, and damp) to the inmates. Admission was free. Well worth the time spent.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T-SGlobetrotters
Preston, UK3,654 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
This former prison build in neoclassical style in 1767 is now run by the Portuguese centre for photography. It is free to enter and as well as viewing the interior of the building which is interesting in itself, the photography exhibition has varied and eclectic displays. It features exhibitions of numerous Portuguese artists plus a wide ranging collection of historic cameras. If you have time, it is definitely worth a visit for an hour or so.
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salma
Cascais, Portugal38 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Honestly, it was a bit underwhelming. We knew the centre was inside of a prison so we expected it to be more..."prisoney" but the truth is that there are very few traces of that. Still, I learnt quite a bit about prisoners such as Camilo Castelo Branco.
Also, I'm a photography fanatic. I loved the exhibitions of cameras and the descriptions near them were very simple and clear. However, I was disappointed with the photos. They were good, but not exciting or inspiring. The selection was not the best in my opinion
So generally speaking, it wasnt a terrible experience but I dont think I'd go back so soon
Also, I'm a photography fanatic. I loved the exhibitions of cameras and the descriptions near them were very simple and clear. However, I was disappointed with the photos. They were good, but not exciting or inspiring. The selection was not the best in my opinion
So generally speaking, it wasnt a terrible experience but I dont think I'd go back so soon
Written 16 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulac32
Manchester, UK358 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Very interesting museum and additional exhibition in the centre of Porto. If you are interested in some of Porto's history and/or photography you will enjoy this. There are 3 floors of photography, cameras and other paraphernalia. And it's free for a change! Lovely jardim opposite for you to escape the sun. Underrated.
Written 12 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valéria
Porto, Portugal932 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
I would recommend visiting the center/museum.
It used to be a jail and now it’s more like a photography museum! And it’s for free! Just in the city center!
It used to be a jail and now it’s more like a photography museum! And it’s for free! Just in the city center!
Written 22 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NadieK1187
London, UK348 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
This is a completely free museum and I can't recommend it enough. It currently has a collection of private photographs of Frida Kahlo's. This is a paid exhibition but in my opinion totally worth it. There are annotated notes of Frida's on some of the pictures, as well as some that she has altered.
Written 25 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Filipe
Portugal176 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
I never see many tourists or locals in this place and that's a pity. This is a great place especially if you are a photography aficionado. There is an amazing collection of photos and items related to photography, old cameras, interesting devices, etc. The building itself is a must see. It is an old prison where one of the most notorious Portuguese writers was imprisoned and wrote one of the portuguese literature masterpieces: "Amor de Perdição" by Camilo Castelo Branco.
Finally, there is no fee to enter! It's free! Don't miss it!
Finally, there is no fee to enter! It's free! Don't miss it!
Written 10 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BRSflyer
Cheltenham, UK466 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
Fantastic space in a converted old jail is a unique venue for the superbly presented exhibits on the lower floors. The upper floors feature a plethora of cameras through the ages, along with fine views over the city.
Written 27 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boa noite estive a visitar o centro e gostaria de saber mais da escultura roxa presente em sua fachada.
Written 22 July 2017
Seriously? I was asking about the purple monument in front of the building that is portuguese by the way.....
Written 22 July 2017
Bom dia.
A entrada no Centro Português de Fotografia é livre, gratuita.
Cabe-me informar que 2016 foi um anos de obras no edifício da ex-Cadeia e Tribunal da Relação do Porto, as quais estão na sua fase final. Por essa razão há partes do edifício normalmente visitáveis e que estão encerradas ao público. Mas temos uma exposição - Only You de Leonardo Kossoy - para ver podendo conhecer parte do edifício.
O horário nesta altura do ano é :
terça a sexta-feira : 10:00 -12:30; 14:00-17:00
sábados, domingos e feriados : 15:00-19:00
Encerrado à segunda-feira.
Atentamente,
Written 28 December 2016
Hi attraction staff,
I would like to have seen more information and photos about the prisoners and prison workers who lived /survived/ worked/died in the prison. I would like to know more about who they were ? what their lives were like in the prison- what they would have been locked up for and how long ?
Thank you
Written 15 August 2015
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