Casa-Museu Bissaya Barreto
About This Museum
It’s a rare thing to find a medical professor's private world so perfectly preserved, but that’s the magic of this Coimbra mansion. Stepping inside feels less like visiting a museum and more like intruding on the vibrant, eclectic mind of Bissaya Barreto himself. The rooms are a wonderfully crowded cabinet of curiosities, where Portuguese modern art jostles for attention with exquisite Chinese porcelain and ornate European furniture. You don't just see his collection; you feel his obsessive passion for beauty in every nook.
Collection Highlights
Keep an eye out for the striking paintings by Portuguese modernists like Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, their bold colors a stark contrast to the serene, gilded wood of the chapel-like 'Sala de Arte Sacra'. The collection of over 300 Chinese snuff bottles is an unexpectedly intimate delight.
Visitor Information
Tucked away on a quiet street not far from the university's buzz, it's a perfect escape from the tourist trail. Just check their website for opening times before you go, as they can be a bit specific.
Architecture & Building
The building itself is an elegant early 20th-century mansion, its dignified stone facade giving little hint of the artistic riot within.
Contact & Location
Address: Rua da Infantaria 23, Alta, Coimbra (Sé Nova, Santa Cruz, Almedina e São Bartolomeu), Coimbra, 3000-219, Portugal
Phone: +351 239 853 800
