National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon, Portugal
How can a large art museum in a popular European capital be considered a hidden gem? To be sure, Lisbon’s National Museum of Ancient Art doesn’t have the name recognition or media exposure of the city’s other major art institutions. Nevertheless, it offers museumgoers the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Portuguese culture and its connection to the wider world.
The museum’s attractions begin with its façade, painted gold and complete with a stately baroque entryway. Once inside, visitors are encouraged to begin on the top floor where paintings and sculptures from native Portuguese artists are exhibited. Most feature religious themes such as “St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata” by Frei Carlos, who was actually a Flemish-born monk living in Portugal.
The second floor features decorative arts from around the world. The first floor is home to an exquisite collection of wider European art such as Hieronymus Bosch, “Temptations of Saint Anthony,” which depicts St. Anthony the Great. Also found on this level is the Chapel of the Albertas, a small 16th-century shrine that belonged to a convent once located on the site.
One of the most impressive features of the museum may be the outdoor sculpture garden. The high terrace offers a magnificent view of the Tagus River and the city’s scenic surroundings.
