Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art), Lisbon

Portugal's museum of Ancient Art houses an extensive and unparalleled assortment, encompassing a wealth of Portuguese 15th- and 16th-century paintings, European artworks spanning from the 14th century to the contemporary era, and an opulent display of applied artistry. This splendid assembly is showcased within the confines of a transformed 17th-century palace, once the esteemed property of the Marquês de Pombal. As visitors embark on their artistic odyssey through this institution, they are guided by a series of ten meticulously crafted "reference points" that navigate the labyrinthine depths of the collection.

The pièce de résistance undoubtedly manifests in the form of Nuno Gonçalves's masterful altarpiece dedicated to Saint Vincent, which materialized between 1467 and 1470. This magnum opus, a testament to virtuosity and compositional brilliance, portrays the patron saint of Lisbon receiving homage from a diverse cross-section of the city's denizens. Strikingly, the faces of these venerating figures exude an astonishingly modern allure.

Another pinnacle of artistic achievement lies in the captivatingly macabre masterpiece, Hieronymus Bosch's "Temptation of Saint Anthony", in room 57. Elsewhere, seek out the altar panel portraying the "Resurrection" by Raphael, Francisco de Zurbarán's exquisite rendition of "The Twelve Apostles", a small yet sublime statue of a nymph sculpted by the hand of Auguste Rodin, or the masterful works by luminaries such as Dürer, Fragonard, Holbein, and Josefa de Óbidos, widely regarded as one of Portugal's preeminent female painters.

Intriguingly, the Oriental art collection affords insight into the profound influence of overseas designs that captivated the Portuguese during the tumultuous 16th century. One encounters exquisite inlaid furniture originating from Goa, Turkish and Syrian azulejos, resplendent Qing Dynasty porcelain, and an enthralling series of late 16th-century Japanese namban screens in room 14. These screens offer a vivid tableau of the Portuguese landing at Nagasaki, wherein the Japanese, in their perception, perceived the Portuguese traders as southern barbarians ("namban"), attributing to them distinctively prominent noses, lending a curious and Pinocchio-esque aspect to their depictions.

The physical footprint of this museum extends over the remnants of the 16th-century Saint Albert monastery, a structure decimated in large part by the cataclysmic tremors of the 1755 earthquake. Remarkably, the monastery's exquisitely adorned chapel remains intact and accessible to discerning visitors, nestled discreetly below the principal entrance.

Tip:
Don't forget to check out the charming garden café, which provides a lovely break for tired travelers looking for a peaceful retreat amidst the museum's impressive art collection. Plus, you'll be treated to stunning views of the water and the city as you relax in this picturesque setting.