This museum has an incredible collection. Alone the Chinese ceramics collection is worth the visit!

The collection of paintings is also world class. And I was surprised how few people were visiting the museum as it was a rainy Sunday. I was alone in the gallery with the Bosch and Dürer paintings.

Definitely worth a visit if you appreciate art!

We were delighted with the few hours that we were here, captivated by the grand range of art, paintings, sculpture, decorative pieces and works reflecting the Portuguese colonies.

Beginning with the European section, it was great to see so many Old Masters. Bosch's Temptation of St. Anthony was fabulous. Others we enjoyed here were those by Memling, Durer and Cranach.

In the Portuguese area, the outstanding work was the wonderful Panels of St. Vincent. Part of its attraction is the still remaining mystery surrounding it. It shows the city's patron St. Vincent in the midst of the various social classes of the time, including monks, nobles, dignitaries and fishermen.

Made for the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belem Monstrance is exquisite. Made with African gold, the twelve apostles are shown in prayer. Below them a circle of armillary spheres, a symbol adopted by the King, are beautiful.

A further reflection of Portuguese maritime power are the Nanban Folding Screens. Gorgeous in Japanese style, they show the arrival of Portuguese missionaries and traders in the mid-1500s. The meeting of cultures is beautifully crafted.