Museu Nacional de Arqueologia (National Archaeology Museum), Lisbon

Editor's Note: Closed for refurbishment until 2025!

The west wing of the Jerónimos Monastery ("Mosteiro dos Jerónimos"), formerly the monks' dormitory, has served as the National Archaeological Museum since 1906, making it one of the world's foremost institutions dedicated to ancient art from the Iberian Peninsula. Reconstructed in the mid-19th century, the building replicates the original Manueline style. Within its walls, the museum serves as Portugal's primary hub for archaeological research, showcasing artifacts sourced from various sites across the country. Among these treasures, you'll find a gold Iron Age bracelet, Visigothic jewelry discovered in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal, Roman ornaments, exquisite Roman mosaics, and early 8th-century Moorish relics.

The museum's Egyptian section, the largest in Portugal, places a significant emphasis on funerary art, featuring masks, figurines, terracotta amulets, and tombstones adorned with hieroglyphics dating back to 6000 BC.

In a softly lit chamber, the "Treasures of Portuguese Archaeology" exhibition dazzles visitors with its stunning collection of gold and silver artifacts, including coins, necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry spanning from 1800 BC to 5 BC. This room has undergone renovation to unveil more of this magnificent jewelry, some of which had remained hidden from public view for decades. Additionally, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions periodically.

Tip:
Buy a combined ticket to skip the line at the Jerónimos Monastery next door.