Pius XII & Medina Museum, Braga

Museum in Braga

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Krzysztof Golik

Pius XII & Medina Museum in Braga, Portugal, is a museum complex in the historic centre that combines archaeology, religious art, and a dedicated gallery for Henrique Medina. It is a practical stop for anyone exploring the old city on foot and wanting a single visit that covers several parts of Braga's past.

Inside, visitors encounter litic artefacts, coins, ceramics, textiles, sculptures, paintings, and jewellery, along with a substantial group of Medina's portraits and drawings. The Medieval Tower adds another layer, presenting the city's history across five floors and ending with a view over Braga. It suits visitors who like small museums with varied collections and those interested in the city's religious and artistic development.

History and Significance of the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum
Things to See and Do at the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum
How to Get There
Practical Tips on Visiting the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum
Is the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum

History and Significance of the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum

The Pius XII Museum (Museu Pio XII) is among the most important cultural institutions in northern Portugal, preserving centuries of archaeological, artistic, and religious treasures. Located in a historic building in central Braga, it was established to document the city's evolution from prehistoric times to the Christian era, showcasing the deep historical layers that define Braga as one of Portugal's oldest cities.

Inside, visitors can explore artifacts from various periods, including prehistoric tools, Roman mosaics, medieval sculptures, and ecclesiastical art. The museum also highlights Braga’s significance as a centre of early Christianity on the Iberian Peninsula. A visit to the Medieval Tower of Santiago, incorporated into the museum complex, provides not only insight into Braga’s medieval defences but also panoramic views over the city.

Sharing the same building is the Medina Museum (Museu Medina), dedicated to Henrique Medina (1901-1988), a prominent naturalist painter born in Porto. The museum's collection comprises 83 oil paintings and 21 drawings, reflecting his versatile talent for portraiture, still life, and landscapes. Medina's artistic training took him from Porto to Paris, Rome, and London, and his works are represented in museums across Portugal and beyond. The inclusion of the Medina Museum within the Pius XII complex creates a fascinating contrast - pairing the sacred and historical with the intimate and expressive world of modern fine art.

Things to See and Do at the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum

Begin your visit in the Pius XII Museum, where archaeological displays reveal Braga’s origins. Roman artefacts, early Christian relics, and medieval ecclesiastical objects chart the city’s transformation from a Roman settlement to a religious capital. The collection also includes striking examples of sacred art - sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and silverware that once adorned Braga’s churches and monasteries.

The museum’s Medieval Tower of Santiago offers a particularly memorable experience. Climbing the tower not only immerses you in Braga’s medieval past but also rewards you with sweeping views of the old town’s rooftops and landmarks.

Next, move to the Medina Museum, where Henrique Medina’s refined technique and emotional realism take centre stage. His portraits capture the individuality of his subjects with warmth and precision, while his still lifes and landscapes evoke a serene intimacy. The museum’s layout encourages quiet contemplation, allowing visitors to appreciate the depth and sensitivity of Medina’s work.

Together, these museums tell two sides of Braga’s story - its spiritual and artistic evolution through time.

How to Get There

The Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum are located in Braga's historic centre, just a short walk from the Cathedral of Braga and Praça da República. For those arriving by train, Braga Station is around a 15-minute walk away. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. Visitors travelling by car can use the public car parks near Avenida Central or Campo da Vinha, both within easy walking distance of the museums. If you are looking to rent a car in Portugal I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum

Best time to visit the museums: Morning or early afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy good light in the tower.
Entrance fee in Euros: Around €3-€4; combined entry for both museums.
Opening hours: Typically Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 am-12:30 pm and 2 pm-5:30 pm; closed Mondays.
Official website: www.museupioxii.pt
How long to spend: 1.5-2 hours for both museums and the tower.
Accessibility: Ground floor accessible; tower access by stairs.
Facilities: Restrooms and small gift shop.
Photography tip: Capture the city view from the top of the Medieval Tower of Santiago.
Guided tours: Available in Portuguese and English upon request.
Nearby food options: Several cafés and restaurants around Rua Dom Diogo de Sousa and Praça da República.

Is the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes - the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum are among the must-see places in Braga for anyone interested in history, religion, and art. The Pius XII Museum provides a powerful sense of Braga's ancient and spiritual legacy, while the Medina Museum offers a window into the refined sensibility of one of Portugal's great modern painters. Together, they create a richly layered experience that captures both the soul and creativity of Braga.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (289)

Museu Pio XII at Largo de Santiago 47 in Braga presents archaeological relics from the Paleolithic through modern times alongside paintings, statuary and textiles; visitors praise well-preserved artifacts and religious art, a Henrique Medina painting gallery, helpful and English-speaking staff who explain the exhibits and how to reach the nearby tower with great city views, and notable objects such as a figurine of Our Lady of the Milk and several gold pieces.

Pei C

in the last week

"A lot of paintings and the tower on the other side of the building offers the incredible city view"

Bozeman-Dublin

6 years ago

"I really enjoyed my hour or so in this interesting, eclectic museum. Its hard to classify if actually. It starts off as an archaeology museum withpaleolithic, neolithic a d bronze age finds, ancient weapons and such artefacts, then on to fragments of romanesque columns and the like and then to religious statuary and iconography. Upstairs there's superb art gallery. I don't profess to know much about art but I know what I like- and I liked this. A wonderfully friendly and helpful girl at the front desk made the visit so much better...."

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Fébriana

3 years ago

"One of the best museum experiences I have in Braga! First of all, the receptionist was very friendly and spoke good English. She explained thedifferent exhibitions on each floor and guided me on how to get to the tower (which apparently is on a different building even though you can buy the ticket to the tower from here 😅). Ground floor is the exhibition for artifacts and religious objects from Braga, from stone age until now. First floor is the exhibition for Henrique Medina's paintings. All of the objects and paintings are very well preserved, despite how open they are for the public. Definitely a must visit museum in Braga!..."

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TitoT416

7 years ago

"Very interesting collections and expositions! I really liked the building also and the employers were very kind. It's not in bad shape, it's actuallyvery well preserved. Definitely recommend it...."

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Olú Abíkóyè

5 months ago

"The ticket costs 4€ and you can enjoy an impeccable history of the church. I enjoyed here very much particularly the figurine on Our Lady of themilk. The staff arè nice and helpful and can give you a rundown of the whole museum to help you navigate from one section to the other...."

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LeonelSimoes

10 years ago

"It is interesting to have a view on things dated 250.000 years old and go along time until almost nowadays. We had also the painter Henrique Medina'sexhibition, which we didn't know, and it was also interesting...."

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FAQs for Visiting the Pius XII Museum and Medina Museum

Archaeology, sacred art, and fine art by Henrique Medina.

Yes, entry is combined.

Yes, the Medieval Tower of Santiago offers panoramic views of Braga.

A 20th-century naturalist painter from Porto, known for his portraits and still lifes.

Around 1.5-2 hours for both museums and the tower.

The Pius XII & Medina Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Braga!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

From Tuesday to Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 6 p.m.

The Museum is closed on Mondays. As well as on 25 December, 1 January and Easter Sunday.

Price:

Medina Gallery visit: 2€ Medieval Tower visit: 2€ Entire Museum visit: 4€

Address: Museu Pio XII, Largo de Santiago, Braga, Portugal

Braga: 0 km

Official Website