Cultural Heritage
Founded in 1916, this museum is located next to Viseu's Cathedral, in Paço dos Três Escalões. This structure was built in the 16th century, because a seminary was needed in the city, to teach new members of the Clergy. At the beginning of the 19th century, during the French invasions, the building functioned as barracks and hospital and. In the twentieth century, it was established as a National Museum of Art to safeguard the many 16th century pieces in contained.
The Museum was inaugurated in 1918, and named Grão Vasco after Vasco Gonçalves, who was the most illustrious Portuguese painter in the 15th century. First, it occupied only a few areas, but it gradually expanded, until it occupied all the space in the building.
The remodeling project for the museum, developed by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, was launched in 2000 with the objective of preserving the exterior part of the building, at the same time that an interior renovation took place.
The main Museum collection includes a set of altarpiece paintings from the local cathedral, churches from the region and other museum assets, many of which are, of course, by Grão Vasco. Visitors are also able to admire painters such as Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, José Malhoa, Alfredo Keil, Soares dos Reis, Silva Porto, António Ramalho, or Sousa Lopes. The museum also includes porcelain, furniture, sculpture, jewellery and numismatics pieces.
