Arts & Culture in Viseu

Discovering the cultural richness of the city through its museums is a golden opportunity to travel across its historical grandeur!

Viseu has a deeply rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as fascinating monuments and unique churches. An opportunity that you can not miss.

Grão Vasco National Museum

The painting of Grão Vasco, a Portuguese Renaissance master, has deeply influenced the History of European painting. He was in fact the first painter in Europe to depict the Brazilian native. A genius of his time. His amazing works are housed in Grão Vasco National Museum, a true symbol of the city of Viseu.

Learn more about Grão Vasco National Museum.

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Sacred Art Museum of Viseu Cathedral

In addition to the its monumental architecture and the works dedicated to devotion inside, Viseu Cathedral also hosts the Religious Art Museum on the second floor. It consists of the old Cathedral treasure and displays a collection of images, liturgical vestments, worship paraments, choir books and furniture.

Learn more about the Sacred Art Museum of Viseu Cathedral.

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Keil do Amaral Museum

The recently opened Keil do Amaral Museum presents to the public the rich cultural heritage of Keil do Amaral family for 6 generations. Housed in 17th century Casa da Calçada, in the Cathedral district, this municipal museum honours the memory of Alfredo Keil (1850 - 1907), the author of the Portuguese national anthem "A Portuguesa", as well as prestigious painter and music composer. The museum exhibits the heterogeneous works of Maria Keil (1914 - 2012), namely: illustration, drawing, painting and furniture. 13 theme rooms that behold a truly unique cultural legacy.

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Almeida Moreira Museum

In this typical Portuguese house, where Almeida Moreira Museum is, lived professor and art critic Francisco António Almeida Moreira, founder of Grão Vasco Museum. It was, during his time, an art and literature meeting place where renowned figures of the 20th century met, among them Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, Raul Lino or Luciano Freire.

The building now holds part of the collection the old curator gathered during his lifetime, including paintings, porcelain and stoneware, sculptures and furniture, as well as a vast library.

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Casa da Ribeira

Casa da Ribeira is located by the river side facing river Pavia, in a spot where in the past there used to be leisure boats heading to gracious baroque temple Nª. Sr.ª da Conceição, on the other side of the river, not far from Cava de Viriato. Casa da Ribeira is the multi-purposed headquarters of the Foundation for the Protection of Handicraft.

Casa da Ribeira is also a centre of handicraft gathering, investigation, exhibition and selling of surrounding Viseu region.

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Quartz Museum

Located in the surroundings of the city centre, this is the only Quartz Museum in the world, idealised by prestigious Portuguese geologist Galopim de Carvalho, placed in a former quartz extraction location. According to this renowned specialist, the Quartz Museum can become a worldwide quartz research centre!

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Quinta da Cruz - Centre for Contemporary Art

Quinta da Cruz is a Centre for Contemporary Art placed in a beautiful natural setting in the outskirts of Viseu.

Bought by Nicolau de Mendonça Falcão do Amaral at the end of the 18th century, the whole property covers a 10 ha green area, inhabited by exotic botanical species, along with indigenous plants.

In 2014 Quinta da Cruz reopened its doors as a Centre for Contemporary Art. The main goal was to bring the local community closer to art, while attracting new audiences. It presents temporary exhibitions, creative workshops and programmes designed for families.

A place where art meets nature.

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Grão Vasco National Museum

Sacred Art Museum of Viseu Cathedral

Keil do Amaral Museum

Almeida Moreira Museum

Casa da Ribeira

Quartz Museum

Quinta da Cruz - Centre for Contemporary Art

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