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 because it's free.