The museum was founded in 1833 as Museum Portuense by King Peter IV. Initially it was housed in the Convent of Santo António (in the center of Porto), exhibiting religious art confiscated from Portuguese convents.

During the 19th century the museum made several acquisitions that were integrated into the main collection.

But, it was in 1911 that the museum obtained its collection of work by Soares dos Reis, a celebrated Portuense sculptor, taking on the name of its benefactor.

In 1942 the museum was transferred from the center of the city to the former-residence of the Moraes and Castro family, known commonly as the Carrancas. The large building provided the spaces and conditions to store and exhibit the collections. Over time, the spaces were expanded and modernized under a project by architect Fernando Távora.

The museum has a vast collection mainly focused on Portuguese art of the 19th and 20th centuries, including painting, sculpture, furniture, metalwork and ceramics.

Museum Soares dos Reis

R. de Dom Manuel II 44, 4050-522 Porto, Portugal