National Museum Machado de Castro — Attraction in Coimbra

The Machado de Castro National Museum integrates the area classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Property of the University of Coimbra - Alta e Sofia. The decision was announced on July 7, 2019, in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the 43rd Session of the World Heritage Committee. The Machado de Castro National Museum's collections mirror the wealth of the Church and the importance of royal patronage, to which many of its most valuable works of art and religious implements are owed. Monochromatic or polychromatic sculpture, in wood and stone, occupies a prominent place, illustrating with numerous masterpieces the work of the best Flemish workshops and also the evolution of Portuguese schools from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Still, the nuclei of painting, goldsmithery, ceramics, and textiles, stand out with equal importance and representativeness for imported art and national production. There are also archaeological collections from the city and oriental art.

The Machado de Castro National Museum owes its name to the Coimbra native who was a royal sculptor during the reigns of José, Maria I and João VI, and the most notable representative of 18th century Portuguese sculpture. The Museum opened to the public on October 11, 1913, occupying the buildings that, from the 12th to the 18th century, were built for the episcopal residence and, in the middle of the 20th century, were adapted for museological use.

Particularly notable are the remains of the cloister from the "condal" period (c. 1100-c. 1140) and the cryptoportic dated from the 1st century which is the most important Roman construction preserved in Portugal.

Fully reopened in late 2012 - following the redevelopment and expansion project of the architect Gonçalo Byrne -, the MNMC currently has the essential conditions

to be understood as a meeting place between memory and contemporaneity.

It has a really lovely coffeeshop with a private view to the river.

Overall is super well maintained and cleaned.

It's recommended to go on the first sunday of the month with your family...

The museum is honestly absolutely gorgeous. Just be careful in the underground Roman part.

It's probably due to my lack of orientation and sense of space, but I would have gotten lost down there if I hadn't glued myself to a nice family whose mothers were clearly more skilled at knowing where we were than myself. It had some arrows telling us where some things were but...alas, it might be a me thing, but I started sweating when I turned a corner and saw myself completely lost for a couple of minutes playing the 'always turn right at the next corner' game. The only star I took was for that. I'm not saying they should have staff down there at every corner (they had the nicest lady at the entry-exit) but a bit more arrows guiding the scattered brain people like myself would be nice so no one gets lost and becomes a permanent visitor (...which I wouldn't exactly be opposed to. There are worst places to be lost at).

Otherwise, it was extremely fun. Including the Roman underground. I spent an ungodly amount of time at the museum exploring it inch by inch and can't wait to return and check the new expositions.

My favorite part probably was the sacred art exposition. It was breathtaking, really (or maybe I'm too much of a religion history nerd).

It's honestly very worth checking it out. And, as always, the staff was absolutely lovely and eager to help and answer my questions about some particular pieces that took...

Everyone will tell you to see the University. It’s the to-do-thing in Coimbra. Will anyone mention this museum? Probably not your group’s tour guide. Maybe you don’t care for museums in the first place. Too bad though, if you miss out on this one. The exhibits draw from a very rich and diverse, yet coherent collection across all formats: paintings, sculpture (stone, wood, metal), China tiles and plates, even church porticos and courtyards. The theme is mostly religious, but the exhibits speak to Portugal’s connections with Central and Northern Europe as well as Asia, draw on its recent political history (e.g. the Pombal education reform of the 19th century) and depict aspects of everyday life with surprising plasticity. Add the beautiful building in itself, the fascinating Roman Criptoporticum (subterranean ruins), the beautiful view at the bar / restaurant, and the very well curated selection at the book store for a great experience. This venue bears the ability to explain the history of Portugal all by itself with a lightness and simplicity that overwhelmingly large museums and collections lack. Bring 2 h time if you care to delight in the observation of details. This museum will provide you...