Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis, Porto

Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis is the first Portuguese national museum exhibiting collections of Portuguese art, including a collection by Portuguese sculptor António Soares dos Reis, from which the museum derives its name. Located in the fabulous city of Porto, the institution offers a wide selection of art collections for guests to peruse. The historic range displayed is lengthy, beginning with Neolithic carvings and moving through history all the way to modern times. Designed by architect Joaquim da Costa Lima Sampaio, the construction displays the Neoclassical style of architecture, common to the 19th century. The interior of the facility was embellished by artist Luis Chiari with incredible wall murals.

The museum's vast collection mainly focuses on Portuguese art of the 19th and 20th centuries, including painting, sculpture, furniture, metalwork, and ceramics. One whole gallery is devoted to António Soares dos Reis. Born in 1847, he studied at the Portuense Academy of Fine Arts and the Fine Arts Imperial School of Paris. Known for his realistic style of sculpture, his art is considered touchable and approachable.

Why You Should Visit:
Staff is friendly and there is a nice café, a courtyard garden, a gift shop, an auditorium, modern bathrooms, and a space for temporary exhibitions.
The upper floor has some striking artwork housed in beautiful rooms, while the overall sense is of discovery of the richness and depth of this national collection.

Tip:
After your visit, try the museum café – it has nice coffee & food at very good prices. The garden is also worth a visit, weather permitting.