Museu dos Terceiros

Museu dos Terceiros in Ponte de Lima is a sacred art museum set inside a former monastic complex in northern Portugal. Its collections are displayed in buildings tied to the Franciscan Order, and the whole ensemble shows the religious and artistic legacy of this town on the Lima River.

What is this place and where is it housed?

The museum occupies a complex made of two parts: the former Convent of Santo António dos Capuchos and the building of the Third Order of Saint Francis (Ordem Terceira). The convent was founded in the late 15th century by Leonel de Lima, the alcaide of Ponte de Lima. Today it comprises the church, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Graça and the sacristy.

The Church of the Third Order was built between 1745 and 1747. Over the following decades it was furnished with rococo altarpieces, pulpits and valances. The choir and pipe organ, both neoclassical, were added in the early 19th century. The architecture is therefore part of the visit, not just a backdrop for the exhibits.

How did the museum come about?

The idea of a sacred art museum emerged in the 1960s. After restoration work on the Parish Church of Ponte de Lima, space ran short for the valuable pieces kept there, and a new home was needed to protect and present that heritage. The project was formally established on 2 January 1975 with the founding of the Instituto Limiano – Museu dos Terceiros. The museum was inaugurated on 30 April 1977.

What can you see?

The core of the collection is sculpture, painting, liturgical vestments, goldwork, woodcarving and furniture. These pieces come from the sacred heritage of the region and show how church-related art developed in Ponte de Lima.

In the 1980s a separate exhibition space was arranged for archaeological material from excavations in the municipality of Ponte de Lima and nearby areas. Archaeology is a very active field in this part of Portugal, and its results are displayed here beside the artworks.

The museum also holds an interesting documentary collection, including hundreds of books from the 17th to 19th centuries in several languages.

Frequently asked questions

When is the museum open? According to tourist information, Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–12:30 and 14:00–18:00. It is closed on Mondays. Before you go, check current hours by calling +351 258 240 220.

Is it only for religious visitors? No. The rococo interiors, sculpture, goldwork and archaeological finds appeal to anyone interested in the history and art of the Minho region.

How long does a visit take? About an hour is usually enough, though admirers of sacred art may stay longer.

Is the museum part of a national network? Yes, it belongs to the Portuguese Network of Museums (Rede Portuguesa de Museus).

Who is the visit for?

The museum fits well into a walk through the historic centre of Ponte de Lima. It suits visitors interested in baroque and rococo art, the history of religious orders and the archaeology of northern Portugal. It is a quiet place that conveys local identity at a scale hard to find in large national museums.