The Museu Municipal de Viana do Castelo is set in the charismatic building known as Casa dos Barbosa Maciel in São Domingos square. This building dates back to the 18th century and is composed of baroque lines and classical elements, such as the triangular pediments on the windows. This house was bought in 1920 by the Viana do Castelo City Hall and turned into a museum in 1923.
This museum is known for two distinct moments: the first, for exhibiting archaeological pieces from the excavations of the Citânia de Santa Luzia, as well as some elements related to the city life; and the second moment, associated with the collaboration of two collectors, Luís Augusto Oliveira and Serafim Neves, and the exhibition of their collections.
In 1993 a new wing was added by architect Luís Teles, and in 2002, it was listed in the Portuguese Network of Museums.