Museu Diocesano de Santarém


This small but excellent museum, in a former Jesuit college adjoining the cathedral, holds a lovely collection of restored religious artworks from its diocese. Around 200 works span the 13th to 19th centuries, and descriptions are in English. The oldest piece is a tempera painting of the Annunciation, and there is a most remarkable statue of Christ, depicted in a rare pose, half on and half off the cross.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

0.01 MILES

This baroque, 17th-century Jesuit church, built on the site of the former royal palace, looms over the town’s most impressive square, Praça Sá da Bandeira…

2. Convento de São Francisco

0.13 MILES

This restored 13th-century Franciscan monastery is a fine example of Portuguese Gothic. Especially lovely is the cloister, with graceful twinned columns…

3. Igreja de Marvila

0.26 MILES

Dating from the 12th century but with 16th-century additions, this endearing little church has a fine, twisted Manueline doorway, while the interior is…

4. Igreja da Santa Maria Graça

0.32 MILES

This early-15th-century church, with its delicately carved facade of multilayered arches, is a Santarém jewel. Inside, a rose window spills light across…

5. Casa Museu Passos Canavarro

0.52 MILES

Right by the Portas do Sol and sharing some of the same privileged views, this is a unique place to visit for lovers of art and beauty. The historic house…

6. Jardim das Portas do Sol

0.53 MILES

Occupying the site of the Moorish citadel, the Portas do Sol garden offers utterly majestic views over the Rio Tejo and the great spread of plains…

7. Grutas de Mira de Aire

20.92 MILES

Portugal’s largest cave system, 14km southeast of Porto de Mós, is very commercial and old-fashioned, although the caves themselves are impressive. The 45…