Contemporary art
Coimbra continues to consolidate its position as one of the main centers of contemporary art in Portugal.
Coimbra is a city of dialogue, standing out as an important destination for lovers of contemporary art. The city is home to excellent cultural spaces that promote local, national and international artists, and serve as a meeting point between creativity and the public.
O Coimbra Contemporary Art Center is an unmissable reference, located in a building carefully adapted to house its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. The installed collection includes works by artists such as Paula Rego, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, Mário Cesariny, Rui Chafes, Eduardo Batarda and António Dacosta, creating a rich panorama of Portuguese contemporary art.
O Convento São Francisco , another cultural landmark, complements this offering with temporary exhibitions that combine art, science and history, as well as hosting innovative artistic performances. The architecture of the convent, renovated for cultural purposes, gives a unique atmosphere to the exhibitions and events held there.
"Coimbra is a city of dialogue, standing out as an important destination for lovers of contemporary art."
Featured Collections
Among the collections that make Coimbra an essential artistic destination, the following stand out:
- collection of Machado de Castro Museum: Although focused on classical art, it includes pieces of modern art that trace the evolution of artistic languages.
- Coimbra Municipal Museum | Chiado Building | Telo de Morais Collection The permanent exhibition includes an important collection of Portuguese painting from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as significant examples of ceramics, sculpture, silver and furniture.
- Public Art Works in Coimbra: Spread throughout the city, they promote dialogue between art and urban space, with pieces by artists such as Violant, Draw, Alma or Bordalo II
Contemporary Art Centre
Located in the heart of the city, the Coimbra Contemporary Art Center (CACC) is a municipal facility, installed in a temporary space, created in 2020. It holds, on deposit, part of the State Contemporary Art Collection (CACE) which includes works by Portuguese and foreign artists from various generations, most of which have a strong contemporary expression.
It offers a regular programme of temporary exhibitions, based on the collection in reserve and other public or private collections. It provides mediation activities, encouraging plural readings on the different contemporary manifestations, encouraging reflection on different artistic expressions and the various ways of seeing and thinking.
The Coimbra Contemporary Art Biennial
A Year Zero – Coimbra Contemporary Art Biennial is an iconic event that puts the city on the international art map. Bringing together renowned artists and emerging talents, the Biennale transforms Coimbra’s historic and contemporary spaces into true stages of artistic innovation. With a rich and diverse programme that includes exhibitions, conferences, performances and workshops, the Biennale is a celebration of creativity and critical thinking. More than an event, it is an opportunity to rediscover Coimbra from an artistic perspective, revealing how the city inspires and welcomes the future of the arts.
Municipal Tourist Office
Old Coimbra Station A
António Granjo Street No. 6
3000-429 Coimbra, Portugal
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Monday to Friday
9h30-13h00 | 14h00-16h30
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
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