The collections of this Coimbra museum reflect the richness of the Church and the importance of the royal patronage to which many of its most valuable works of art and religious items are attributed.

Monochromatic or polychrome sculpture, in wood and stone, occupies the top place, illustrating with numerous masterpieces the work of the best Flemish workshops and also the evolution of the Portuguese schools from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Even so, the centers of painting, jewelery, ceramics and textiles have also equal importance and representativeness both for imported art and national production.

Also of note are the archaeological collections from the city and those of oriental art.