The Geological Museum was first created with the exhibition of the material collected during the field work of the Geological Survey of Portugal, established in 1857.

The museum houses the most important Palaentological and Stratigraphical collections of Portugal, including the richest Portuguese collection of Dinosaurs and Mammals.

The Archaeological exhibition shows materials from the Palaeolithic period to the Roman mining activities, with stone, bone and metal instruments; pottery, slate and limestone votive objects; and, human and wild fauna remains. The Mineralogical section exhibits a large number of beautiful Portuguese and foreign minerals.

Installed since 1859 in a former 17th century convent, in the exact place where Portuguese Geology and Archaeology was born, the different exhibition areas preserve a 19th century museum atmosphere.