Carlos Machado Museum is São Miguel's principal museum institution and presents its programme across several historic centres in Ponta Delgada. The Santa Bárbara centre hosts exhibitions, while the former Santo André Convent is associated with natural history and ethnography collections. The Sacred Art centre, housed in the former Jesuit church known as Igreja do Colégio, presents religious heritage within a building of major architectural interest.
Together, the collections help interpret Azorean biodiversity, everyday life, art and historical memory. Because the centres occupy different addresses, visitors should decide in advance which ones to see and plan the route between them. From October to March the museum opens Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm; from April to September, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. Buildings close 30 minutes after final admission.