Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga

The National Museum of Ancient Art is housed in a 17th century palace. It has an extensive collection of works of art, but the religious representations of the so-called Portuguese school are among the masterpieces. This Portuguese school was strongly influenced by Flemish masters, some of whose works can also be seen in the museum. There are pieces by Hieronymus Bosch and Van Dyck. The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (MNAA) also has works by other European artists, but it is fair to say that these are not very famous pieces. For art lovers the museum is one of the must-visit sights in Lisbon.

The main attraction is the six-part "The Adoration of Saint Vincent" (The Saint Vincent Panels). It was painted between 1467 and 1470 by Nuno Gonçalves. On the six panels you can see many people paying their respects to the patron saint of the city of Lisbon: monks, fishermen, knights and also Henry the Navigator. In the upper left corner of the two central panels, Gonçalves is said to have painted himself.

The Japanese screens from the 16th century with depictions of Portuguese traders are quite special. Special, because at the time Japan was a very closed country, which only traded with outsiders on a limited scale.

In this museum you will also see art made of ivory from Goa (India) and old Portuguese furniture and tapestries.