Image Museum

Museu da Imagem (Image Museum) in Braga is dedicated to photography and holds one of the largest and most important photographic collections in Portugal. The museum opened its doors on April 25, 1999, and occupies a 19th-century building located right by the Arco da Porta Nova, next to a tower belonging to Braga's former castle. Its position inside the historic city centre makes it an easy stop to combine with a walk through the old town and other nearby landmarks.

Where does the collection come from?

The museum's original purpose was to preserve and exhibit the archive of a defunct Braga photographic store, "Foto Aliança." The project quickly grew beyond that single archive to cover the entire visual history of the city. Today the collection includes over 200,000 photographs, drawn mainly from two iconic Braga photography houses: Foto Aliança and Casa Pelicano. Together, these two archives form the historical backbone of the museum's holdings.

What visitors can see

The museum's mission is to collect and promote the visual memory of Braga and its surroundings, while preserving the city's historical photographic archive. The permanent collection documents everyday life, architecture and historical events in Braga, spanning decades of classic photography through to more recent work.

Alongside the historical material, the museum runs a year-round program of contemporary photography exhibitions, featuring both local and internationally recognized photographers. A permanent display of cameras from different eras is also on show, tracing the evolution of photographic technology from early mechanical devices to more modern equipment.

Library and research resources

The museum also houses a library stocked with books, magazines and catalogues related to photography and the visual arts. This makes it a useful stop not only for casual visitors, but also for anyone wanting to dig deeper into the history of photography in the region or consult archival material directly.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? Museu da Imagem occupies a 19th-century building next to the Arco da Porta Nova and a tower from Braga's former castle, right in the historic heart of the city.

When did the museum open? It opened on April 25, 1999.

How many photographs are in the collection? The archive holds more than 200,000 images, coming mainly from two Braga photography houses: Foto Aliança and Casa Pelicano.

Is there more to see than old photographs? Yes — besides the historical archive, the museum runs a year-round program of contemporary photography exhibitions and keeps a permanent display of cameras from various periods.

Who is this museum for? It suits photography enthusiasts and anyone interested in local history, as well as travelers looking for a cultural stop in Braga beyond the city's most obvious sights.