National Museum of Ancient Art

The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga stands in Lisbon’s Príncipe Real district, occupying the 17th-century Palácio Alvor-Pombal. The palace was once home to Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the Marquis of Pombal, before becoming a museum in 1884. Its collection grew from royal and monastic holdings, including works seized during the 1833 dissolution of religious orders. The building itself reflects Pombal’s influence, with later expansions to accommodate the growing art collection. Inside, visitors move between grand rooms once used for royal receptions and academic gatherings. The museum is worth the journey for its unrivalled collection of over 40,000 objects. It holds masterpieces by European greats such as Hieronymus Bosch, Albrecht Dürer, and Raphael, alongside Portuguese treasures like the Saint Vincent Panels. These six 15th-century panels, attributed to Nuno Gonçalves, depict 60 figures from medieval society and remain the museum’s most famous work. The collection spans painting, sculpture, goldwork, textiles, and ceramics from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Its origins trace back to confiscated monastic art and royal donations, including pieces from the disgraced Queen Carlota Joaquina. A visit reveals rooms filled with gilded altarpieces, intricate tapestries, and delicate ceramics. The former convent of Santo Alberto, now an annex, houses a Baroque chapel with ornate azulejo tiles and a footbridge linking it to the main building. The Saint Vincent Panels occupy a dedicated gallery, drawing visitors to study their detailed portrayal of 15th-century life. Elsewhere, works by Zurbarán and Holbein hang alongside Portuguese masters like Vasco Fernandes. The palace’s high ceilings and natural light enhance the viewing experience, while the surrounding gardens offer a quiet retreat from the city.