The Chiado Museum, which is also referred to as the National Museum of Contemporary Art, is located in the namesake district of Lisbon, enjoying a virtually central location in the capital of Portugal. At present, its collections (the permanent ones, as well as the temporary exhibitions) are sheltered in the historical Convent of Sao Francisco, substantially altered in its original structure by Jean-Michel Wilmotte (a French architect) in order to turn it into a venue suitable for a museum. The museum has been located in this monastery since 1994, though it opened initially in 1911.
Its permanent collection is said to be one of the most comprehensive national collections of contemporary Portuguese art (pictorial and sculptural works), amassing an impressive array of works from the 19th to the 20th century created in the spirit of trends such as the Romanticism, the Naturalism and sundry Modernist trends. The most prized works are the ones created by figures like Jose de Almada Negreiros, Nadir Afonso, Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, Antonio Silva Porto, Antonio Carneiro, Amadeo de Souza Cardoso, Antonio Soares dos Reis, Mario Eloy, Miguel Angelo Lupi, Abel Manta, and Dordio Gomes.
The museum also showcases several French sculptures, its highlights in this respect referring to several works by Rodin. Visitors can also allow for admiring the temporary exhibitions held by the Chiado Museum. Lisbon Card holders can visit the museum for free.