Museu de Aveiro (Aveiro Museum), Aveiro (must see)

The Aveiro Museum / Santa Joana, finds its home in the former Convent of Jesus of the female Dominican Order, a historic site founded by a papal bull in 1461. This convent served as the residence for Princess Joana of Portugal, daughter of Afonso V, who entered the convent in 1472. Renowned for her life of holiness, Princess Joana was beatified in 1693 and is now the patron saint of Aveiro, with the city commemorating her on May 12th, the day of her birth and death.

The convent underwent significant renovations between the 16th and 18th centuries, with improvements continuing until 1874 when the enclosure was maintained. In 1911, the convent was transformed into the Museum of Aveiro / Santa Joana. In 2006, Architect Alcino Soutinho undertook a reformulating intervention to enhance the building's structure.

The museum houses a remarkable collection of religious art spanning from the 15th to the 20th century, with a particular emphasis on the Baroque period. Notable highlights include a portrait of Princess Joana, the Tomb, and the Church of Jesus. One of the iconic sculptures within the museum is the "Fácies Christi," a representation of the crucified Christ in the High Choir. This sculpture is renowned for its unique feature where the Face appears to display a smiling expression on one side and a sad expression on the other, making it a distinctive and significant piece within the museum's collection.